(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-225AJ-4d, Hanna & Co. MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Heinman's of Detroit, Michigan. Detroit was Michigan's largest city and a major manufacturing center, producing stoves, railroad equipment, and industrial goods for the Northern war effort. Heinman's issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 225AJ-4d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 8 cataloged varieties, Heinman's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AJ-4d