(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165GE-6D, OH

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Jacob Vogel of Cincinnati, Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 165GE-6D. 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. Jacob Vogel issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 165GE-6D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. 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 9 cataloged varieties, Jacob Vogel was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165GE-6D