(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-165H-3a, S. Bacciocco OH

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by S. Bacciocco, operating in Cincinnati, Ohio. 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. With 4 known varieties, S. Bacciocco produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 165H-3a) is common. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. 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 4 cataloged varieties, S. Bacciocco was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 165H-3a