(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165BS-3I, OH

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 165BS-3I — store card of J. Helmig, Cincinnati, Ohio. 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. J. Helmig issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This zinc striking (Fuld 165BS-3I) is scarce among the known varieties. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 7 cataloged varieties, J. Helmig was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165BS-3I