(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-110A-3a, G.B. Barrett OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$51 MS63 02-28-2017 Heritage Auctions

Description

Civil War store card issued by G.B. Barrett of Cadiz, Ohio. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. G.B. Barrett issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 110A-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. 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

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 9 cataloged varieties, G.B. Barrett was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 110A-3a