(1864) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225J-2a, Fred'k C. Blome MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$192 MS63BN 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from Fred'K C. Blome, a Detroit, Michigan business. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. Fred'K C. Blome issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 225J-2a) is common among the known varieties. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

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, Fred'K C. Blome was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225J-2a