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

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by P.E. Beach in Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. P.E. Beach issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This silver striking (Fuld 975A-1f) is rare among the known varieties. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Silver examples were struck in small quantities, often for collectors or as special orders.

Rarity Notes

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 7 cataloged varieties, P.E. Beach was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 975A-1f