(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-165GX-3a, Jos. Zanone OH

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Jos. Zanone in Ohio, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. Jos. Zanone issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 165GX-3a) is common. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

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 8 cataloged varieties, Jos. Zanone was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165GX-3a