No Date Token F-165BB-3a Copper PE L. Geilfus OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$120 MS61BN 01-12-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

This undated copper Civil War store card cataloged as Fuld 165BB-3a features a patriotic die (PE) issued by L. Geilfus of Ohio. The name Geilfus reflects the strong German immigrant presence in Ohio during the Civil War era, as German Americans constituted one of the largest ethnic groups in the state and contributed heavily to the Union war effort. Many German immigrant merchants issued Civil War store cards, and their tokens document the commercial activities of this important immigrant community during a pivotal period in American history. The copper composition and cent-sized format allowed this token to circulate alongside or in place of federal Indian Head cents. L. Geilfus's token is both a commercial artifact and a document of German-American participation in Civil War-era Ohio commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper Civil War store card. Fuld 165BB-3a. L. Geilfus, Ohio. German-American merchant issue.

Cross References

PCGS #658150; Fuld 165BB-3a; L. Geilfus, OH