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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Dr. L.C. Rose, 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. Dr. L.C. Rose issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 225BL-3A) is common for this merchant. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. 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 7 cataloged varieties, Dr. L.C. Rose was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225BL-3A