(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-320A-1D, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Bartlett & Rigby of Easton, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. With 4 known varieties, Bartlett & Rigby produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 320A-1D) is somewhat scarce. 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. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 4 cataloged varieties, Bartlett & Rigby was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 320A-1D