(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-60A-2a, V.P. Collier MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$192 XF40BN 03-29-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War store card issued by V.P. Collier of Battle Crk, Michigan. 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. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 60A-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 token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Token issuers ranged from sole proprietors to large retail establishments, with some merchants ordering thousands of pieces while others had only a few hundred struck for local distribution. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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 1 cataloged varieties, V.P. Collier was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 60A-2a