(1861) Copper Civil War Store Card F-260A-3a, Wm. Brooks IN

Coin Details

Description

Wm. Brooks, an Elkhart merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. Wm. Brooks issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 260A-3a) is common. 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. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

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 5 cataloged varieties, Wm. Brooks was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 260A-3a