(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-930A-2D, IA

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from H. & G. Goodhue, a Waterloo, Iowa business. Iowa contributed disproportionately to the war effort relative to its population, with merchants issuing tokens in small numbers reflecting its less urbanized economy. H. & G. Goodhue issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 930A-2D) is somewhat scarce. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. 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. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 6 cataloged varieties, H. & G. Goodhue was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 930A-2D