(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-165BW-4a, Dr. H.H. Hill & Co. OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$384 MS65RB 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Dr. H.H. Hill & Co., a Cincinnati merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Known as the "Queen of the West," Cincinnati served as a major Ohio River commercial hub. Its merchants produced hundreds of store card varieties during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Dr. H.H. Hill & Co. issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 165BW-4a) is common for this merchant. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. 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 9 cataloged varieties, Dr. H.H. Hill & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165BW-4a