(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165DV-6A, OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$104 MS63BN 09-30-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of J.T. Moore, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. 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. The 13 cataloged varieties for J.T. Moore indicate a notable level of token production. This copper striking (Fuld 165DV-6A) is common 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. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 13 cataloged varieties, J.T. Moore was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165DV-6A