(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165DU-1D, OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$900 MS63 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of S-B- Monarch, located in 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. With 3 known varieties, S-B- Monarch produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 165DU-1D) is somewhat scarce. 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. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 3 cataloged varieties, S-B- Monarch was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 165DU-1D