(1863) Civil War Store Card F-330G-1a, Roberts & Sheldon OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 MS64BN 12-16-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Fuld 330G-1a — store card of Roberts & Sheldon, Fremont, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. With 2 known varieties, Roberts & Sheldon produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 330G-1a) is common. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, the U.S. Mint dramatically increased production of small-denomination coins, and the new bronze two-cent piece helped alleviate the shortage. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.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 2 cataloged varieties, Roberts & Sheldon was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 330G-1a