(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-745A-1d, Burton's OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$780 MS64 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of Burton's in Portsmouth, Ohio, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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. Burton's issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 745A-1d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. 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. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 745A-1d