(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-850A-1a, M.J. Kirchner OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of M.J. Kirchner, located in Tiffin, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. With 3 known varieties, M.J. Kirchner produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 850A-1a) is common among the known varieties. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. The Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

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 3 cataloged varieties, M.J. Kirchner was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 850A-1a