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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Henry Wolff of 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. With 4 known varieties, Henry Wolff produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 225CS-2A) is common. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. 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 4 cataloged varieties, Henry Wolff was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 225CS-2A