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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by L.W. Barie 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. The 11 cataloged varieties for L.W. Barie indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in zinc, this die combination (Fuld 225F-4I) is scarce. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 11 cataloged varieties, L.W. Barie was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225F-4I