(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225AO-4a, C.J. Holthofer MI

Coin Details

Description

C.J. Holthofer, based in Detroit, Michigan, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. 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 10 cataloged varieties for C.J. Holthofer indicate a notable level of token production. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 225AO-4a) is common for this merchant. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. The cent-sized format was chosen deliberately to match the federal Indian Head cent, the coin most conspicuously absent from daily commerce.

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 10 cataloged varieties, C.J. Holthofer was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AO-4a