(1862) Copper Civil War Store Card F-745B-6a, S.W. Cunning OH

Coin Details

Description

S.W. Cunning, a Portsmouth merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 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. S.W. Cunning issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 745B-6a) is common. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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, S.W. Cunning was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 745B-6a