(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-25A-1b, Ira Mayhew MI

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Ira Mayhew in Albion, Michigan, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. With 2 known varieties, Ira Mayhew produced a modest number of token types. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 25A-1b) is common to somewhat scarce. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 2 cataloged varieties, Ira Mayhew was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 25A-1b