(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-85A-1B, MI

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Roswell Barnes in Brighton, Michigan, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Michigan's merchants across numerous cities actively produced tokens to combat the small change shortage affecting Northern commerce. Roswell Barnes issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 85A-1B) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Brass was the second most common planchet material after copper, giving tokens a golden appearance.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 6 cataloged varieties, Roswell Barnes was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 85A-1B