(1861-65) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-975O-2d, L. Young OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by L. Young of Wooster, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. With 2 known varieties, L. Young produced a modest number of token types. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 975O-2d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. 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 2 cataloged varieties, L. Young was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 975O-2d