(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-975A-1b, OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 MS62 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of P.E. Beach in Ohio. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. P.E. Beach issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 975A-1b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Brass strikings are among the more available variants, though less common than copper.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 7 cataloged varieties, P.E. Beach was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 975A-1b