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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Messmore & Lucking, 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. Messmore & Lucking issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 225AY-3A) is common for this merchant. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. 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. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

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, Messmore & Lucking was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AY-3A