(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165BX-5D, OH

Coin Details

Description

B. Hintrick & C. Glaser, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. 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. B. Hintrick & C. Glaser issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 165BX-5D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 8 cataloged varieties, B. Hintrick & C. Glaser was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165BX-5D