(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-530G-3D, MI

Coin Details

Description

L.W. Perrin, a Kalamazoo merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. With 3 known varieties, L.W. Perrin produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 530G-3D) is somewhat scarce. 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. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 3 cataloged varieties, L.W. Perrin was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 530G-3D