(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-960A-13A, MI

Coin Details

Description

E. Hewitt & Bro. of Ypsilanti issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Michigan was a significant industrial state during the Civil War, with Detroit emerging as a major manufacturing center and merchants across the state producing tokens. E. Hewitt & Bro. issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 960A-13A) is common. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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 8 cataloged varieties, E. Hewitt & Bro. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 960A-13A