(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225CK-6a, Henry Weber MI

Coin Details

Description

Henry Weber, a Detroit merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Detroit was Michigan's largest city and a major manufacturing center, producing stoves, railroad equipment, and industrial goods for the Northern war effort. The 12 cataloged varieties for Henry Weber indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 225CK-6a) is common. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

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, Henry Weber was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225CK-6a