(1863) Zinc Civil War Store Card F-225AJ-2i, Heinman's MI

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Heinman's, operating in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. Heinman's issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The zinc composition of this variety (Fuld 225AJ-2i) is scarce for this merchant. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. 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. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 8 cataloged varieties, Heinman's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AJ-2i