(1863) Zinc Civil War Store Card F-165EN-3i, Pogue & Jones OH

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Pogue & Jones in Cincinnati, Ohio, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Known as the "Queen of the West," Cincinnati served as a major Ohio River commercial hub. Its merchants produced hundreds of store card varieties during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Pogue & Jones issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in zinc, this die combination (Fuld 165EN-3i) is scarce. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce. 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

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 9 cataloged varieties, Pogue & Jones was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165EN-3i