(1864) Brass Civil War Store Card F-420A-1b, W.H. Horn WI

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from W.H. Horn of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, cataloged as Fuld 420A-1b. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. The 10 cataloged varieties for W.H. Horn indicate a notable level of token production. This brass striking (Fuld 420A-1b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Brass strikings are among the more available variants, though less common than copper. 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

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 10 cataloged varieties, W.H. Horn was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 420A-1b