(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165AK-5E, OH

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from R. Downing of Cincinnati, Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 165AK-5E. Cincinnati was the largest inland city in antebellum America and a critical supply center for the Union Army, driving Ohio to produce more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state. R. Downing issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This white metal striking (Fuld 165AK-5E) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 8 cataloged varieties, R. Downing was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165AK-5E