(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-165GC-11d, Van. Wunder OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$720 MS65 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of Van. Wunder in Cincinnati, Ohio, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Known as the "Queen of the West," Cincinnati served as a major Ohio River commercial hub. Its merchants produced hundreds of store card varieties during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. The 18 cataloged varieties for Van. Wunder indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 165GC-11d) is somewhat scarce. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 18 cataloged varieties, Van. Wunder was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165GC-11d