(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-165EC-1d, F.J. Niemer's OH

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by F.J. Niemer's, operating in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati's position as a Union Army supply center and Ohio River trade hub made it a prolific source of Civil War tokens. John Stanton and other die sinkers based in the city produced dies for merchants across the Midwest. F.J. Niemer's issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 165EC-1d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 6 cataloged varieties, F.J. Niemer's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165EC-1d