(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-85B-2A, MI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Wm. R. Cobb of Brighton, Michigan. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. Wm. R. Cobb issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 85B-2A) is common. Although undated, this token was produced during the 1862-1864 period when federal coins disappeared from commerce. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

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 7 cataloged varieties, Wm. R. Cobb was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 85B-2A