(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-360A-3a, Mons Anderson WI

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Mons. Anderson, operating in LA Crosse, Wisconsin. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. With 4 known varieties, Mons. Anderson produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 360A-3a) is common. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. The Civil War token series provides one of the most comprehensive records of mid-nineteenth century American retail commerce, documenting businesses that left few other historical traces. 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 4 cataloged varieties, Mons. Anderson was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 360A-3a