(1863) Civil War Store Card F-40B-3j, Dean & Co. MI

Coin Details

Description

Dean & Co., an Ann Arbor merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. The 17 cataloged varieties for Dean & Co. indicate a notable level of token production. The german silver composition of this variety (Fuld 40B-3j) is scarce for this merchant. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. German silver (a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) strikings are sought after for their distinctive bright appearance. The Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

German silver (a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and are sought after for their distinctive silvery appearance. With 17 cataloged varieties, Dean & Co. was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 40B-3j