(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-280A-2a, Charles W. Bernacki MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$80 F12BN 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War store card issued by Charles W. Bernacki of E.saginaw, Michigan. 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. With 2 known varieties, Charles W. Bernacki produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 280A-2a) is common among the known varieties. 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. 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 2 cataloged varieties, Charles W. Bernacki was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 280A-2a