(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-74A-3a, D.E. Stearns, Berea, O OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$204 MS64BN 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Fuld 74A-3a — store card of D.E. Stearns, Berea, Ohio. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. D.E. Stearns produced 24 cataloged die varieties, reflecting a substantial token operation. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 74A-3a) is common for this merchant. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. 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 24 cataloged varieties, D.E. Stearns was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 74A-3a