(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-168A-6A, OH

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from G.H. Fickardt & Co. of Circlevill, Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 168A-6A. 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. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 168A-6A) is common for this merchant. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

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-6A