1863 Civil War Store Card F-225BR-1A, MI

Coin Details

Description

J.B. Shagnon, a Detroit merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. With 2 known varieties, J.B. Shagnon produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 225BR-1A) is common among the known varieties. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

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 2 cataloged varieties, J.B. Shagnon was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 225BR-1A