(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-225T-3D, MI

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Geo. E. Curtis 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. Geo. E. Curtis issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 225T-3D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. 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 7 cataloged varieties, Geo. E. Curtis was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225T-3D