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

Coin Details

Description

L. Meyer of Cincinnati issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Known as the "Queen of the West," Cincinnati served as a major Ohio River commercial hub. Its merchants produced hundreds of store card varieties during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. L. Meyer issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 165DS-5D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. 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, L. Meyer was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165DS-5D