(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-535A-7b, P.G. Albright OH

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by P.G. Albright, operating in Massillon, Ohio. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. The 12 cataloged varieties for P.G. Albright indicate a notable level of token production. This brass striking (Fuld 535A-7b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Brass was the second most common planchet material after copper, giving tokens a golden appearance. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.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 12 cataloged varieties, P.G. Albright was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 535A-7b