(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-40A-2A, MI

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Philip Bach of Ann Arbor, Michigan, cataloged as Fuld 40A-2A. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. The 13 cataloged varieties for Philip Bach indicate a notable level of token production. This copper striking (Fuld 40A-2A) is common among the known varieties. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. 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 13 cataloged varieties, Philip Bach was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 40A-2A