(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225CA-2A, MI

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 225CA-2A — store card of Goff Stenton, Detroit, Michigan. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. Goff Stenton issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 225CA-2A) is common for this merchant. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

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-2A