(1863) Civil War Store Card F-720A-3a, F.W. Andrews MN

Coin Details

Auction Record

$312 AU58BN 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from F.W. Andrews, a Rochester, Minnesota business. Minnesota was a relatively new state (admitted 1858) also dealing with the Dakota War of 1862, yet its merchants issued store cards during the coin shortage. F.W. Andrews issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 720A-3a) is common. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. 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 7 cataloged varieties, F.W. Andrews was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 720A-3a