(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-510AE-1a, WI

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,595 MS62BN 04-16-2023 eBay

Description

Carl Paeschke of Milwaukee issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Milwaukee was Wisconsin's largest city and a major brewing and manufacturing center, with its large German immigrant population strongly supporting the Union cause. Carl Paeschke issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 510AE-1a) 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. 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 6 cataloged varieties, Carl Paeschke was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 510AE-1a