(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225A-6a, W.J. Adderly MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from W.J. Adderly, a Detroit, Michigan business. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. The 12 cataloged varieties for W.J. Adderly indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 225A-6a) is common. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. 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 12 cataloged varieties, W.J. Adderly was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225A-6a