(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-460J-1b, Charles Kuhn IN

Coin Details

Description

Charles Kuhn, an Indianapolis merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. As Indiana's capital and a major railroad hub, Indianapolis was the center of the state's Civil War token production, with merchants using tokens as practical emergency currency. Charles Kuhn issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 460J-1b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 5 cataloged varieties, Charles Kuhn was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460J-1b