(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-980A-1A, MN

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from C. Benson of Minnesota, cataloged as Fuld 980A-1A. Minnesota was a relatively new state (admitted 1858) also dealing with the Dakota War of 1862, yet its merchants issued store cards during the coin shortage. With 2 known varieties, C. Benson produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 980A-1A) is common. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 2 cataloged varieties, C. Benson was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 980A-1A