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

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Henry Weber of Detroit, Michigan, cataloged as Fuld 225CK-1A. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. The 12 cataloged varieties for Henry Weber indicate a notable level of token production. This copper striking (Fuld 225CK-1A) is common among the known varieties. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. 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 Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.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 12 cataloged varieties, Henry Weber was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225CK-1A