(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-225H-3b, H.W. Beeson MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from H.W. Beeson, a Detroit, Michigan business. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. H.W. Beeson issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The brass composition of this variety (Fuld 225H-3b) is common to somewhat scarce for this merchant. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Brass strikings are among the more available variants, though less common than copper. 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 8 cataloged varieties, H.W. Beeson was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225H-3b