(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-225AQ-2b, Edward Kanter MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Edward Kanter, located in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. Edward Kanter issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 225AQ-2b) is common to somewhat scarce. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, surviving tokens became instant collectibles, with serious collecting beginning within a decade of the war's end.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 6 cataloged varieties, Edward Kanter was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AQ-2b