(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-225F-6d, L.W. Barie MI

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 225F-6d — store card of L.W. Barie, Detroit, Michigan. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. The 11 cataloged varieties for L.W. Barie indicate a notable level of token production. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 225F-6d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. 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 11 cataloged varieties, L.W. Barie was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225F-6d