(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-165O-9a, C.H. Bennett OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by C.H. Bennett of 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 3 known varieties, C.H. Bennett produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 165O-9a) is common among the known varieties. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. 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 3 cataloged varieties, C.H. Bennett was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 165O-9a