(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-385B-3d, H.&W. Frechtling OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$456 MS63 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Merchant token from H. & W. Frechtling of Hamilton, Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 385B-3d. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. H. & W. Frechtling issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 385B-3d) is somewhat scarce. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. 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 7 cataloged varieties, H. & W. Frechtling was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 385B-3d