(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-975M-2a, Rowe & Bro. OH

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 975M-2a — store card of Rowe & Bro., Wooster, Ohio. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. With 3 known varieties, Rowe & Bro. produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 975M-2a) is common. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. The Act of April 22, 1864 effectively ended private coinage by imposing penalties of up to five years imprisonment and a $2,000 fine for producing unauthorized coins or tokens. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

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, Rowe & Bro. was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 975M-2a