(1864) Silver Civil War Store Card F-5A-8f, Stoner & Shroyer OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,800 MS62 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from Stoner & Shroyer, an Adamsville, Ohio business. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. With 40 cataloged die varieties, Stoner & Shroyer was one of the most prolific token issuers in the series. The silver composition of this variety (Fuld 5A-8f) is rare for this merchant. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Silver examples were struck in small quantities, often for collectors or as special orders. The cent-sized format was chosen deliberately to match the federal Indian Head cent, the coin most conspicuously absent from daily commerce.

Rarity Notes

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 40 cataloged varieties, Stoner & Shroyer was a substantial producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 5A-8f