(1863) Silver Civil War Store Card F-200B-2f, Heintz & Henkle OH

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Heintz & Henkle, operating in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus, the state capital, was a major military staging area with Camp Chase housing Confederate prisoners and thousands of Union troops training within the city. Heintz & Henkle issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The silver composition of this variety (Fuld 200B-2f) is rare for this merchant. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced as presentation or collector pieces. 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

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 5 cataloged varieties, Heintz & Henkle was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 200B-2f