(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-680A-1d, Ni A.W.E. MN

Coin Details

Description

Ni A.W.E., based in Red Wing, Minnesota, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Minnesota was a relatively new state (admitted 1858) also dealing with the Dakota War of 1862, yet its merchants issued store cards during the coin shortage. Ni A.W.E. issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 680A-1d) is common among the known varieties. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. 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 9 cataloged varieties, Ni A.W.E. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 680A-1d