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

Coin Details

Description

Dean & Co. of Ann Arbor issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. 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 17 cataloged varieties for Dean & Co. indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 40B-2D) is somewhat scarce. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. 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. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 17 cataloged varieties, Dean & Co. was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 40B-2D