(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-440A-3a, D.C. Hawley MI

Coin Details

Description

D.C. Hawley, based in Hastings, Michigan, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime 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. With 2 known varieties, D.C. Hawley produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 440A-3a) is common for this merchant. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. 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, D.C. Hawley was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 440A-3a