(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-510O-2e, WI

Coin Details

Description

C.E. Graff of Milwaukee issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Milwaukee's thriving German-American merchant community made it the center of Wisconsin's Civil War token production. The 15 cataloged varieties for C.E. Graff indicate a notable level of token production. The white metal composition of this variety (Fuld 510O-2e) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. White metal (a tin-based alloy) pieces are scarcer than copper and often show significant wear from their soft composition.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 15 cataloged varieties, C.E. Graff was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 510O-2e