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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Edward Kanter, located in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. Edward Kanter issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 225AQ-3A) is common for this merchant. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. 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. The cent-sized format was chosen deliberately to match the federal Indian Head cent, the coin most conspicuously absent from daily commerce.

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 6 cataloged varieties, Edward Kanter was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AQ-3A