(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225AJ-3A, MI

Coin Details

Description

Heinman's, based in Detroit, Michigan, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime 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. Heinman's issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 225AJ-3A) is common for this merchant. 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 Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 8 cataloged varieties, Heinman's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AJ-3A