(No Date) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-330E-1d, Hoot & Meng OH

Coin Details

Description

Hoot & Meng of Ohio issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. 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. With 3 known varieties, Hoot & Meng produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 330E-1d) is somewhat scarce. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 3 cataloged varieties, Hoot & Meng was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 330E-1d