(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-160G-5B, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from Rufus Motter, a Chillicoth, 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. Rufus Motter issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 160G-5B) is common to somewhat scarce. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Brass strikings are among the more available variants, though less common than copper.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 6 cataloged varieties, Rufus Motter was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 160G-5B