(1863) Civil War Store Card F-225H-2a, H.W. Beeson MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of H.W. Beeson, located in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. H.W. Beeson issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 225H-2a) is common. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

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 8 cataloged varieties, H.W. Beeson was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225H-2a