(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-370I-2A, MI

Coin Details

Description

E.K. Powers, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Grand Rapids was a growing commercial center in western Michigan, famous for its furniture manufacturing and lumber industry. With 3 known varieties, E.K. Powers produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 370I-2A) is common for this merchant. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 3 cataloged varieties, E.K. Powers was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 370I-2A