(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-530G-2a, L.W. Perrin MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of L.W. Perrin, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. With 3 known varieties, L.W. Perrin produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 530G-2a) 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 3 cataloged varieties, L.W. Perrin was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 530G-2a