(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-830G-2D, OH

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from C. Runyon of Springfld, Ohio, cataloged as Fuld 830G-2D. 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. C. Runyon issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 830G-2D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical 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 5 cataloged varieties, C. Runyon was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 830G-2D