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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by P.N. Kneeland of 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. P.N. Kneeland issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 225AR-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. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

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, P.N. Kneeland was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AR-3A