(1861-65) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-65B-1d, P. Brady OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by P. Brady of Bellevue, 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. The 11 cataloged varieties for P. Brady indicate a notable level of token production. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 65B-1d) is somewhat scarce 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. 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 11 cataloged varieties, P. Brady was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 65B-1d