(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-895A-3E, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of C. McCarty, located in Urbana, Ohio. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. C. McCarty issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This white metal striking (Fuld 895A-3E) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. White metal (a tin-based alloy) pieces are scarcer than copper and often show significant wear from their soft composition.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 5 cataloged varieties, C. McCarty was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 895A-3E