(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-280D-2A, MI

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by John McKay, operating in E.saginaw, Michigan. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. John McKay issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 280D-2A) is common for this merchant. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 5 cataloged varieties, John McKay was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 280D-2A