(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-250B-2a, Andrews & Cooper MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$132 AU55BN 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Andrews & Cooper of Dowagiac issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. Andrews & Cooper issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 250B-2a) is common. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

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 5 cataloged varieties, Andrews & Cooper was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 250B-2a