(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-450F-4a, J. Gottlieb MI

Coin Details

Description

J. Gottlieb, based in Hillsdale, 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. J. Gottlieb issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 450F-4a) is common for this merchant. 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. 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 5 cataloged varieties, J. Gottlieb was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 450F-4a