(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-165BI-10d, Jacob Guth OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from Jacob Guth, a Cincinnati, Ohio business. Cincinnati was the largest inland city in antebellum America and a critical supply center for the Union Army, driving Ohio to produce more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state. The 12 cataloged varieties for Jacob Guth indicate a notable level of token production. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 165BI-10d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. 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 12 cataloged varieties, Jacob Guth was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165BI-10d