(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-225BQ-4d, John Seeley MI

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from John Seeley of Detroit, Michigan, cataloged as Fuld 225BQ-4d. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. John Seeley issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 225BQ-4d) is somewhat scarce. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 225BQ-4d