(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-860A-1a, T.P. Camp WI

Coin Details

Description

T.P. Camp, based in Stoughton, Wisconsin, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. 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 3 known varieties, T.P. Camp produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 860A-1a) 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. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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, T.P. Camp was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 860A-1a