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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by G. Wolfer of 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. G. Wolfer issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 165GP-5D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. 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, G. Wolfer was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165GP-5D