(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-555A-6D, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by P.L. Potter of Middleton, 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.L. Potter indicate a notable level of token production. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 555A-6D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. 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 12 cataloged varieties, P.L. Potter was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 555A-6D