(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-225L-3b, F.A. Burkhart MI

Coin Details

Description

F.A. Burkhart of Detroit issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. F.A. Burkhart issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 225L-3b) is common to somewhat scarce. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues. The cent-sized format was chosen deliberately to match the federal Indian Head cent, the coin most conspicuously absent from daily commerce.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 8 cataloged varieties, F.A. Burkhart was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225L-3b