(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225CS-1a, Henry Wolff MI

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 225CS-1a — store card of Henry Wolff, Detroit, Michigan. Detroit was Michigan's largest city and a major manufacturing center, producing stoves, railroad equipment, and industrial goods for the Northern war effort. With 4 known varieties, Henry Wolff produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 225CS-1a) is common. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, the U.S. Mint dramatically increased production of small-denomination coins, and the new bronze two-cent piece helped alleviate the shortage. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 4 cataloged varieties, Henry Wolff was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 225CS-1a