(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-385A-2b, John Deinzer OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of John Deinzer, located in Hamilton, Ohio. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. John Deinzer issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 385A-2b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues. The Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 7 cataloged varieties, John Deinzer was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 385A-2b