(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-485A-1a, F. Schuch OH

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from F. Schuch of Loudenvill, Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 485A-1a. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. With 2 known varieties, F. Schuch produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 485A-1a) is common among the known varieties. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. 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, F. Schuch was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 485A-1a