(1864) Copper Civil War Store Card F-700D-1a, H. Dobson RI

Coin Details

Description

Arcade House, a Providence merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Providence was an important manufacturing center, particularly in textiles and jewelry. The city's merchants issued Civil War tokens to maintain daily commerce. The 14 cataloged varieties for Arcade House indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 700D-1a) is common. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. 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 14 cataloged varieties, Arcade House was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 700D-1a