(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-150D-6d, V.C. Engert KY

Coin Details

Description

Store card of V.C. Engert in Covington, Kentucky, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Kentucky was a critical border state maintaining Union loyalty while deeply divided. Louisville served as a major supply depot and source of merchant tokens. With 3 known varieties, V.C. Engert produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 150D-6d) is somewhat scarce. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 3 cataloged varieties, V.C. Engert was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 150D-6d