(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-180B-2B, MI

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by R & J.T. Peter, operating in Clarkston, Michigan. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. R & J.T. Peter issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 180B-2B) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 5 cataloged varieties, R & J.T. Peter was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 180B-2B