(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-510I-1d, WI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by D.J. Doornink of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee was Wisconsin's largest city and a major brewing and manufacturing center, with its large German immigrant population strongly supporting the Union cause. D.J. Doornink issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 510I-1d) is somewhat 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. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. 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 5 cataloged varieties, D.J. Doornink was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 510I-1d