(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-975F-4a, Samuel Geitgey OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 MS64BN 12-16-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Samuel Geitgey, located in Wooster, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Samuel Geitgey issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 975F-4a) is common. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

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 6 cataloged varieties, Samuel Geitgey was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 975F-4a