(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-185A-5D, OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$528 MS63 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This Civil War token was issued by P. Carle & Son, operating in Collinsvil, Ohio. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. P. Carle & Son issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 185A-5D) is somewhat scarce. 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 hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. 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, P. Carle & Son was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 185A-5D