(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-165EO-1d, Henry Porter OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Henry Porter, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati's position as a Union Army supply center and Ohio River trade hub made it a prolific source of Civil War tokens. John Stanton and other die sinkers based in the city produced dies for merchants across the Midwest. Henry Porter issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 165EO-1d) 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 6 cataloged varieties, Henry Porter was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165EO-1d