(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-168A-2A, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by G.H. Fickardt & Co. of Circlevill, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. G.H. Fickardt & Co. issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 168A-2A) is common. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. 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. The Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

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 6 cataloged varieties, G.H. Fickardt & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 168A-2A