(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-165EU-9d, J.F. Resta OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by J.F. Resta of Cincinnati, Ohio. 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 J.F. Resta indicate a notable level of token production. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 165EU-9d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. The Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 12 cataloged varieties, J.F. Resta was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165EU-9d