(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-995B-2d, OH

Coin Details

Description

H.G.O. Cary of Ohio produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. H.G.O. Cary issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 995B-2d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. 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. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 6 cataloged varieties, H.G.O. Cary was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 995B-2d