(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-895A-1A, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of C. McCarty, located in Urbana, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. C. McCarty issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 895A-1A) is common. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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, C. McCarty was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 895A-1A