(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225BO-4a, John Schroder & Co. MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$110 MS64RB 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

John Schroder & Co. of Detroit issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. John Schroder & Co. issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 225BO-4a) is common for this merchant. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 7 cataloged varieties, John Schroder & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225BO-4a