(1863) Civil War Store Card F-191, Pro Bono Publico

Coin Details

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld 191, featuring obverse die 191 — a design inscribed "PRO BONO PUBLICO" — with the Latin inscription "PRO BONO PUBLICO". Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans hoarded federal coins following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. Without merchant identification on the dies, this token cannot be attributed to a specific issuer or location. Location Unknown store cards represent speculative die pairings produced for general circulation. Dated 1863, the peak year of Civil War token production when the coin shortage was most acute. Civil War tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many show heavy wear from commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 1 cataloged varieties, Pro Bono Publico was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 191