(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225AC-3B, MI

Coin Details

Description

L.S. Freeman, a Detroit merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. L.S. Freeman issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 225AC-3B) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 9 cataloged varieties, L.S. Freeman was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AC-3B