(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-720A-2a, Greenway's WI(Regular Strike)

Coin Details

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld 720A-2a, featuring the issuer Greenway. This token bears no merchant identification; its dies were paired speculatively by die sinkers for sale to the general public rather than commissioned by a specific merchant. Copper was preferred for token production because its properties matched the federal cent specification closely enough that these pieces passed freely in commerce during 1862-1864. Dated 1863, the peak year of Civil War token production when the coin shortage was most acute. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans had hoarded federal coins since the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. The end of the token era came in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of wartime monetary 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, Greenway's WI(Regular Strike) was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 720A-2a