(1864) Copper Civil War Store Card F-790A-1a, Trowbridge's WI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$156 AU58BN 05-29-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Trowbridge's of Sheboygan issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. 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. Trowbridge's issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 790A-1a) is common. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. 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

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, Trowbridge's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 790A-1a