(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225B-5A, MI

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from American Coffee Mills of Detroit, Michigan, cataloged as Fuld 225B-5A. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. American Coffee Mills issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 225B-5A) is common. 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. 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. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 9 cataloged varieties, American Coffee Mills was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225B-5A