(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-830A-11I, OH

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 830A-11I — store card of W.G. Brain, Springfld, Ohio. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. The 14 cataloged varieties for W.G. Brain indicate a notable level of token production. The zinc composition of this variety (Fuld 830A-11I) is scarce for this merchant. 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. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 14 cataloged varieties, W.G. Brain was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 830A-11I