(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165L-1E, OH

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from C.H. Beers of Cincinnati, Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 165L-1E. Cincinnati's position as a Union Army supply center and Ohio River trade hub made it a prolific source of Civil War tokens. John Stanton and other die sinkers based in the city produced dies for merchants across the Midwest. The 15 cataloged varieties for C.H. Beers indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in white metal, this die combination (Fuld 165L-1E) is somewhat scarce. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 15 cataloged varieties, C.H. Beers was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165L-1E