(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-200A-1I, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from John Grether, a Columbus, Ohio business. Columbus, the state capital, was a major military staging area with Camp Chase housing Confederate prisoners and thousands of Union troops training within the city. The 12 cataloged varieties for John Grether indicate a notable level of token production. This zinc striking (Fuld 200A-1I) is scarce among the known varieties. 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. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 12 cataloged varieties, John Grether was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 200A-1I