(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-560B-2a, A.J. Viele MI

Coin Details

Description

A.J. Viele, based in Lansing, Michigan, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. With 4 known varieties, A.J. Viele produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 560B-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 token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, surviving tokens became instant collectibles, with serious collecting beginning within a decade of the war's end.

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 4 cataloged varieties, A.J. Viele was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 560B-2a