(1864) Copper Civil War Store Card F-150A-1a, Bartlett Goble & Co OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Bartlett Goble & Co of Chestervil, Ohio. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. Bartlett Goble & Co issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 150A-1a) is common. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 6 cataloged varieties, Bartlett Goble & Co was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 150A-1a