(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-385A-2A, OH

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from John Deinzer of Hamilton, Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 385A-2A. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. John Deinzer issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 385A-2A) is common. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. 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 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 7 cataloged varieties, John Deinzer was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 385A-2A