(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-370K-3a, A. Roberts & Son MI

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by A. Roberts & Son in Michigan. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. A. Roberts & Son issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 370K-3a) is common. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

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 6 cataloged varieties, A. Roberts & Son was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 370K-3a