(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-560A-1d, R.G. Martin OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from R.G. Martin, a Monroevill, Ohio business. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. R.G. Martin issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 560A-1d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 560A-1d