(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-280B-4D, MI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$528 MS64 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of N.W. Clark & Co in E.saginaw, Michigan, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. N.W. Clark & Co issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 280B-4D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. 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. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

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-4D