(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-40A-2b, Philip Bach MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$216 MS65 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Philip Bach, operating in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. The 13 cataloged varieties for Philip Bach indicate a notable level of token production. The brass composition of this variety (Fuld 40A-2b) 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. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 13 cataloged varieties, Philip Bach was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 40A-2b