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

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by John Leis 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. With 4 known varieties, John Leis produced a modest number of token types. Struck in silver, this die combination (Fuld 975G-1f) is rare. 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. Silver examples were struck in small quantities, often for collectors or as special orders. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

Rarity Notes

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 4 cataloged varieties, John Leis was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 975G-1f