(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-225Q-4d, S. Cohen MI

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from S. Cohen of Detroit, Michigan, cataloged as Fuld 225Q-4d. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. S. Cohen issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 225Q-4d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 8 cataloged varieties, S. Cohen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225Q-4d