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

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Pogue & Jones, operating 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. Pogue & Jones issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 165EN-5D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. 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 9 cataloged varieties, Pogue & Jones was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165EN-5D