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

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Messmore & Lucking in Detroit, Michigan, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. Messmore & Lucking issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 225AY-3D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. 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 6 cataloged varieties, Messmore & Lucking was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AY-3D