(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-920B-3a, Dr. E. Hause MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Dr. E. Hause of Tecumseh, Michigan. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. Dr. E. Hause issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 920B-3a) is common among the known varieties. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Many Civil War tokens were produced in quantities far exceeding actual commercial need, as die sinkers and merchants recognized the speculative collecting interest that was already developing. 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 5 cataloged varieties, Dr. E. Hause was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 920B-3a