(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-830B-4a, Kaufmann & Co OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$168 MS64BN 03-05-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Kaufmann & Co, operating in Springfld, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. The 10 cataloged varieties for Kaufmann & Co indicate a notable level of token production. This copper striking (Fuld 830B-4a) is common among the known varieties. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, surviving tokens became instant collectibles, with serious collecting beginning within a decade of the war's end.

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 10 cataloged varieties, Kaufmann & Co was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 830B-4a