(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-165V-4I, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Ni Chamberlain Bros. of 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. Ni Chamberlain Bros. issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The zinc composition of this variety (Fuld 165V-4I) is scarce for this merchant. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 8 cataloged varieties, Ni Chamberlain Bros. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165V-4I