(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225CA-1A, MI

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Goff Stenton in Detroit, Michigan, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. Goff Stenton issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 225CA-1A) is common among the known varieties. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

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 6 cataloged varieties, Goff Stenton was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225CA-1A