(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-165EF-5d, R.D. Norris OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of R.D. Norris, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Known as the "Queen of the West," Cincinnati served as a major Ohio River commercial hub. Its merchants produced hundreds of store card varieties during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. The 10 cataloged varieties for R.D. Norris indicate a notable level of token production. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 165EF-5d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 10 cataloged varieties, R.D. Norris was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165EF-5d