(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-770A-5D, OH

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 770A-5D — store card of B.L. Crew, Richmond, 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. B.L. Crew issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 770A-5D) is somewhat scarce. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. 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 6 cataloged varieties, B.L. Crew was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 770A-5D