(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-880E-4A, OH

Coin Details

Description

David Kelley, based in Troy, Ohio, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Troy was a manufacturing center on the Hudson River known for its iron and steel production, including horseshoe and railroad spike industries. David Kelley issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 880E-4A) is common among the known varieties. 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 hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.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 5 cataloged varieties, David Kelley was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 880E-4A