(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-535A-1B, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of P.G. Albright, located in Massillon, Ohio. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. The 12 cataloged varieties for P.G. Albright indicate a notable level of token production. This brass striking (Fuld 535A-1B) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 12 cataloged varieties, P.G. Albright was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 535A-1B