(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-920K-1d, J. Moulton WI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from J. Moulton, a Watertown, Wisconsin business. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. With 2 known varieties, J. Moulton produced a modest number of token types. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 920K-1d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 2 cataloged varieties, J. Moulton was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 920K-1d