(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165GT-5A, OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,880 MS63RB 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Fuld 165GT-5A — store card of H. B. Xelar, Ohio. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. H. B. Xelar issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 165GT-5A) is common. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. 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. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

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 5 cataloged varieties, H. B. Xelar was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165GT-5A