(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-160G-7a, Rufus Motter OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Rufus Motter of Chillicoth, 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. Rufus Motter issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 160G-7a) is common for this merchant. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 6 cataloged varieties, Rufus Motter was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 160G-7a