(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-280B-3D, MI

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 280B-3D — store card of N.W. Clark & Co, E.saginaw, Michigan. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. N.W. Clark & Co issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 280B-3D) is somewhat scarce. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. 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

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 6 cataloged varieties, N.W. Clark & Co was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 280B-3D