(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-730A-8B, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Drs. Brown & Dills of Piqua, 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. Drs. Brown & Dills issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 730A-8B) 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 Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. 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 9 cataloged varieties, Drs. Brown & Dills was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 730A-8B