(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-280D-3d, John McKay MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of John McKay, located in E.saginaw, Michigan. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. John McKay issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 280D-3d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 5 cataloged varieties, John McKay was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 280D-3d