(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-230E-2d, S. Wild OH

Coin Details

Description

S. Wild, a Dayton merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Dayton was a prosperous manufacturing city known for its agricultural machinery and paper production. With 3 known varieties, S. Wild produced a modest number of token types. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 230E-2d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. 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. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 3 cataloged varieties, S. Wild was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 230E-2d