(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-525C-3a, Jackson MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$70 MS64BN 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of Jackson in Jackson, Michigan, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. Jackson issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 525C-3a) is common for this merchant. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. 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 9 cataloged varieties, Jackson was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 525C-3a