(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-115A-10a, A.C. Cochran OH

Coin Details

Description

A.C. Cochran of Cambridge issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. 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. A.C. Cochran issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 115A-10a) is common for this merchant. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

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, A.C. Cochran was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 115A-10a