(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-510AO-2a, I. Teller WI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$156 MS64BN 04-15-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of I. Teller in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Milwaukee was Wisconsin's largest city and a major brewing and manufacturing center, with its large German immigrant population strongly supporting the Union cause. I. Teller issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 510AO-2a) 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 Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

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, I. Teller was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 510AO-2a