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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by H. & W. Frechtling of Hamilton, Ohio. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. H. & W. Frechtling issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The zinc composition of this variety (Fuld 385B-2I) is scarce 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. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 7 cataloged varieties, H. & W. Frechtling was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 385B-2I