(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225K-5D, MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$480 MS64 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from Broeg & Gerber, a Detroit, Michigan business. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. Broeg & Gerber issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 225K-5D) is somewhat scarce. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 8 cataloged varieties, Broeg & Gerber was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225K-5D