(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-790A-2a, WI

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 790A-2a — store card of Trowbridge's, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. Trowbridge's issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 790A-2a) is common among the known varieties. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 6 cataloged varieties, Trowbridge's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 790A-2a