(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-85A-3d, Roswell Barnes MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$960 MS65 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of Roswell Barnes in Brighton, Michigan, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. Roswell Barnes issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 85A-3d) is somewhat scarce. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 85A-3d