(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165EO-5B, OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$840 XF45 04-25-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Henry Porter, 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. Henry Porter issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 165EO-5B) is common to somewhat scarce. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 6 cataloged varieties, Henry Porter was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165EO-5B