(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225S-2I, MI

Coin Details

Description

C.L. Crosby of Detroit issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. As Michigan's commercial hub, Detroit generated more Civil War token varieties than any other city in the state, reflecting its diverse merchant community. C.L. Crosby issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in zinc, this die combination (Fuld 225S-2I) is scarce. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 6 cataloged varieties, C.L. Crosby was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225S-2I