(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-760B-1a, Wheeler & Wilsons MN

Coin Details

Auction Record

$480 MS63BN 12-16-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of Wheeler & Wilsons in Minnesota, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Minnesota was a relatively new state (admitted 1858) also dealing with the Dakota War of 1862, yet its merchants issued store cards during the coin shortage. With 2 known varieties, Wheeler & Wilsons produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 760B-1a) is common among the known varieties. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. 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. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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, Wheeler & Wilsons was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 760B-1a