(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-765H-2a, J.W. Hannah PA

Coin Details

Auction Record

$118 XF40BN 12-11-2022 Legend Rare Coin Auctions

Description

Civil War store card issued by J.W. Hannah of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania was the Union's industrial heartland, with Philadelphia as a manufacturing center and Pittsburgh as an iron and steel producer. With 2 known varieties, J.W. Hannah produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 765H-2a) is common among the known varieties. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. The coin shortage was exacerbated by the simultaneous withdrawal of gold and silver from circulation following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

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, J.W. Hannah was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 765H-2a