(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-175R-2A, OH

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Holed Jos. Welf of Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 175R-2A. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. With 3 known varieties, Holed Jos. Welf produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 175R-2A) is common for this merchant. Like the majority of Civil War store cards, this token is undated, produced during the acute 1862-1864 small change crisis. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. 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 3 cataloged varieties, Holed Jos. Welf was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 175R-2A