(1863) Zinc Civil War Store Card F-165GS-22i, Robert Wright OH

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Robert Wright of Cincinnati, Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 165GS-22i. Cincinnati's position as a Union Army supply center and Ohio River trade hub made it a prolific source of Civil War tokens. John Stanton and other die sinkers based in the city produced dies for merchants across the Midwest. Robert Wright produced 27 cataloged die varieties, reflecting a substantial token operation. Struck in zinc, this die combination (Fuld 165GS-22i) is scarce. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 27 cataloged varieties, Robert Wright was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165GS-22i