(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-760B-1D, MN

Coin Details

Description

Wheeler & Wilsons of Minnesota issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Minnesota was a relatively new state (admitted 1858) also dealing with the Dakota War of 1862, yet its merchants issued store cards during the coin shortage. With 2 known varieties, Wheeler & Wilsons produced a modest number of token types. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 760B-1D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 2 cataloged varieties, Wheeler & Wilsons was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 760B-1D