(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-680A-3d, E.C. Morse MI

Coin Details

Description

E.C. Morse of Mussey issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. E.C. Morse issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 680A-3d) 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. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 680A-3d