(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-450N-2a, R. Rowe MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of R. Rowe, located in Hillsdale, Michigan. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. With 2 known varieties, R. Rowe produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 450N-2a) is common among the known varieties. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. 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 2 cataloged varieties, R. Rowe was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 450N-2a