(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225Q-2B, MI

Coin Details

Description

Store card of S. Cohen in Detroit, Michigan, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Detroit was Michigan's largest city and a major manufacturing center, producing stoves, railroad equipment, and industrial goods for the Northern war effort. S. Cohen issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 225Q-2B) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Brass strikings are among the more available variants, though less common than copper. 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

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 8 cataloged varieties, S. Cohen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225Q-2B