(1862) Copper Civil War Store Card F-240A-1a, Ruhl's OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$384 MS64BN 04-13-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Ruhl's, based in Defiance, Ohio, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Ruhl's issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 240A-1a) is common for this merchant. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. 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 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 9 cataloged varieties, Ruhl's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 240A-1a