(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-915A-1a, G.W. Stephenson MI

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by G.W. Stephenson, operating in St. Johns, Michigan. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. With 2 known varieties, G.W. Stephenson produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 915A-1a) is common among the known varieties. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. 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 2 cataloged varieties, G.W. Stephenson was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 915A-1a