(No Date) Brass Civil War Store Card F-895A-3b, C. McCarthy OH

Coin Details

Description

C. McCarty, based in Urbana, Ohio, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. C. McCarty issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 895A-3b) is common to somewhat scarce. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 5 cataloged varieties, C. McCarty was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 895A-3b