(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-510AQ-1do, Hermann Voigt WI

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Hermann Voigt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Milwaukee was Wisconsin's largest city and a major brewing and manufacturing center, with its large German immigrant population strongly supporting the Union cause. Hermann Voigt issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This piece is an overstrike struck over a host coin, an 1863 Indian Head cent. Traces of the original design may be visible beneath the new impressions. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. 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. Overstrike varieties are generally scarcer than tokens struck on blank planchets, as they required sourcing and re-striking existing coins. With 5 cataloged varieties, Hermann Voigt was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 510AQ-1do