(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-220A-2a, Bassett's WV

Coin Details

Description

Bassett's, based in Gleneaston, West Virginia, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. West Virginia separated from Virginia in 1863 to remain in the Union. Its merchants produced tokens to address the coin shortage in the newly formed state. Bassett's issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 220A-2a) is common. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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 7 cataloged varieties, Bassett's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 220A-2a