(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-790A-1d, Trowbridge's WI

Coin Details

Description

Trowbridge's, a Sheboygan merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. Trowbridge's issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 790A-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. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 6 cataloged varieties, Trowbridge's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 790A-1d