(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225O-2a, H.A. Christiansen MI

Coin Details

Description

H.A. Christiansen, a Detroit merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 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. With 2 known varieties, H.A. Christiansen produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 225O-2a) is common. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. 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 2 cataloged varieties, H.A. Christiansen was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 225O-2a