(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-975B-7d, J.R. Bowman OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$504 MS63 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

J.R. Bowman of Wooster issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. The 10 cataloged varieties for J.R. Bowman indicate a notable level of token production. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 975B-7d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 10 cataloged varieties, J.R. Bowman was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 975B-7d