(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-225B-5d, American Coffee Mills MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from American Coffee Mills, a Detroit, Michigan business. Detroit was Michigan's largest city and a major manufacturing center, producing stoves, railroad equipment, and industrial goods for the Northern war effort. American Coffee Mills issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 225B-5d) 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 hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. 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-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 9 cataloged varieties, American Coffee Mills was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225B-5d