(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-700D-2d, H. Dobson RI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$720 MS65 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from Arcade House, a Providence, Rhode Island business. Providence was an important manufacturing center, particularly in textiles and jewelry. The city's merchants issued Civil War tokens to maintain daily commerce. The 14 cataloged varieties for Arcade House indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 700D-2d) is somewhat scarce. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 14 cataloged varieties, Arcade House was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 700D-2d