(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225BK-2B, MI

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 225BK-2B — store card of Alonzo Rolfe, Detroit, Michigan. Detroit was Michigan's largest city and a major manufacturing center, producing stoves, railroad equipment, and industrial goods for the Northern war effort. Alonzo Rolfe issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 225BK-2B) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. 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. Brass was the second most common planchet material after copper, giving tokens a golden appearance.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 6 cataloged varieties, Alonzo Rolfe was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225BK-2B