(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-905A-1a, Dickinson Comstock & Co. OH

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Davis & Whiteman, operating in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. With 4 known varieties, Davis & Whiteman produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 905A-1a) is common for this merchant. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. 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 4 cataloged varieties, Davis & Whiteman was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 905A-1a