(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225AV-2D, MI

Coin Details

Description

Martin Bro's of Detroit issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. Martin Bro's issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 225AV-2D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Although undated, this token was produced during the 1862-1864 period when federal coins disappeared from commerce. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 5 cataloged varieties, Martin Bro's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AV-2D