(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-830B-3A, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Kaufmann & Co of Springfld, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. The 10 cataloged varieties for Kaufmann & Co indicate a notable level of token production. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 830B-3A) is common for this merchant. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

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 10 cataloged varieties, Kaufmann & Co was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 830B-3A