(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225K-3I, MI

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Broeg & Gerber of Detroit, Michigan, cataloged as Fuld 225K-3I. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. Broeg & Gerber issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This zinc striking (Fuld 225K-3I) is scarce among the known varieties. Like the majority of Civil War store cards, this token is undated, produced during the acute 1862-1864 small change crisis. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. 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 8 cataloged varieties, Broeg & Gerber was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225K-3I