(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165J-3I, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by R. Bathgate 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. R. Bathgate issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This zinc striking (Fuld 165J-3I) is scarce among the known varieties. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 9 cataloged varieties, R. Bathgate was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165J-3I