(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-150B-2D, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from Miles & Sperry, a Chestervil, Ohio business. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. Miles & Sperry issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 150B-2D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Although undated, this token was produced during the 1862-1864 period when federal coins disappeared from commerce. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 150B-2D