(1864) Copper Civil War Store Card F-700G-1a, City Fruit Store

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from the Fuld 700G-1a series, attributed to the unidentified issuer "RH." The Fuld 700 "RH" series represents one of the most extensive unidentified issuer groups in the Civil War store card catalog. The initials "RH" appear on tokens struck in numerous die combinations and metals, suggesting commercial-scale production during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Copper was preferred for token production because its properties matched the federal cent specification closely enough that these pieces passed freely in commerce during 1862-1864. Produced in 1864, the twilight of the Civil War token era. By year's end, new federal bronze cents and fractional currency had largely replaced private tokens in commerce. The end of the token era came in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of wartime monetary 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 18 cataloged varieties, City Fruit Store was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 700G-1a