(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-360B-2a, Geo. E. Hubbard MI

Coin Details

Description

Geo. E. Hubbard, based in Grand Haven, Michigan, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. With 2 known varieties, Geo. E. Hubbard produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 360B-2a) is common for this merchant. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. 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, Geo. E. Hubbard was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 360B-2a