(1861) Brass Civil War Store Card F-350D-1Bb, Wm. H. Lash & Co. IN

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Wm. H. Lash & Co., operating in Goshen, Indiana. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. With 2 known varieties, Wm. H. Lash & Co. produced a modest number of token types. This brass striking (Fuld 350D-1Bb) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Brass strikings are among the more available variants, though less common than copper. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 2 cataloged varieties, Wm. H. Lash & Co. was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 350D-1Bb