(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-505B-2a, F. Borr. OH

Coin Details

Description

F. Borr. of Mansfield issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. 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. The 18 cataloged varieties for F. Borr. indicate a notable level of token production. This copper striking (Fuld 505B-2a) is common among the known varieties. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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 18 cataloged varieties, F. Borr. was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 505B-2a