(1863) Zinc Civil War Store Card F-225AR-3i, P.N. Kneeland MI

Coin Details

Description

Store card of P.N. Kneeland in Detroit, Michigan, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. P.N. Kneeland issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The zinc composition of this variety (Fuld 225AR-3i) is scarce for this merchant. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce. The cent-sized format was chosen deliberately to match the federal Indian Head cent, the coin most conspicuously absent from daily commerce.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 225AR-3i