(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-860A-3B, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of C.P. Curtis, located in Toledo, Ohio. Toledo was a growing Lake Erie port city and railroad hub, handling grain and lumber shipments that fueled the Northern war economy. C.P. Curtis issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 860A-3B) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. 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, C.P. Curtis was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 860A-3B