(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-190A-3C, OH

Coin Details

Description

Icenhour & Co of Columbiana issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. Icenhour & Co issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 190A-3C) is scarce for this merchant. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. Nickel strikings are scarcer than copper or brass versions and have a distinctive silvery appearance.

Rarity Notes

Nickel strikings are generally scarcer than copper or brass versions, as nickel was more expensive and harder to strike. With 7 cataloged varieties, Icenhour & Co was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 190A-3C