(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225BV-4D, MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from Yankee Smith's, a Detroit, Michigan business. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. Yankee Smith's issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 225BV-4D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. 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 8 cataloged varieties, Yankee Smith's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225BV-4D