(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-860F-1a, A.M. Purdy IN

Coin Details

Auction Record

$158 MS62BN 05-05-2024 eBay

Description

A.M. Purdy of South Bend issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. With 2 known varieties, A.M. Purdy produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 860F-1a) is common 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 hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 2 cataloged varieties, A.M. Purdy was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 860F-1a