(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-560A-6a, R.G. Martin OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$120 MS63BN 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of R.G. Martin, located in Monroevill, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. R.G. Martin issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 560A-6a) is common for this merchant. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

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 8 cataloged varieties, R.G. Martin was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 560A-6a