(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-180A-3D, MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of M.H. Clark, located 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. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 180A-3D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. 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 8 cataloged varieties, M.H. Clark was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 180A-3D