(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225BK-2a, Alonzo Rolfe MI

Coin Details

Description

Alonzo Rolfe of Detroit issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War 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. Alonzo Rolfe issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 225BK-2a) is common. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. 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 6 cataloged varieties, Alonzo Rolfe was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225BK-2a