(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-165X-5d, City Hoisery Store OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of City Hosiery, located in 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. City Hosiery issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 165X-5d) is somewhat scarce. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 9 cataloged varieties, City Hosiery was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165X-5d