(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-510K-3a, Joseph Fischbein WI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Joseph Fischbein, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee was Wisconsin's largest city and a major brewing and manufacturing center, with its large German immigrant population strongly supporting the Union cause. With 3 known varieties, Joseph Fischbein produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 510K-3a) is common. 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. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 3 cataloged varieties, Joseph Fischbein was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 510K-3a