(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-450J-1a, C.T. Mitchell & Co. MI

Coin Details

Description

C.T. Mitchell & Co. of Hillsdale issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. With 4 known varieties, C.T. Mitchell & Co. produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 450J-1a) is common among the known varieties. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. 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, C.T. Mitchell & Co. was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 450J-1a