(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-180A-1B, MI

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by M.H. Clark, operating in Clarkston, Michigan. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. M.H. Clark issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 180A-1B) is common to somewhat scarce. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 8 cataloged varieties, M.H. Clark was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 180A-1B