(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-160G-6A, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Rufus Motter, located in Chillicoth, Ohio. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. Rufus Motter issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 160G-6A) is common among the known varieties. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 6 cataloged varieties, Rufus Motter was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 160G-6A