(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-175G-5D, OH

Coin Details

Description

D.W. Gage of Cleveland issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Cleveland was a major Lake Erie port and growing industrial center connected to Eastern markets by railroad and the Ohio & Erie Canal. D.W. Gage issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 175G-5D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 9 cataloged varieties, D.W. Gage was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 175G-5D