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

Coin Details

Description

Perkins Hotel, a Detroit merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 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. Perkins Hotel issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 225BC-3D) 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. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. 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, Perkins Hotel was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225BC-3D