(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-700F-1a, Erhardt & Raps WI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 MS62BN 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Erhardt & Raps, operating in Racine, Wisconsin. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. With 2 known varieties, Erhardt & Raps produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 700F-1a) is common. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

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 2 cataloged varieties, Erhardt & Raps was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 700F-1a