(1861-65) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-165L-4d, C.H. Beers OH

Coin Details

Description

Store card of C.H. Beers in Cincinnati, Ohio, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Cincinnati's position as a Union Army supply center and Ohio River trade hub made it a prolific source of Civil War tokens. John Stanton and other die sinkers based in the city produced dies for merchants across the Midwest. The 15 cataloged varieties for C.H. Beers indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 165L-4d) is somewhat scarce. 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 copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. 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-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 15 cataloged varieties, C.H. Beers was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165L-4d