(1863) Zinc Civil War Store Card F-460H-1i, C.L. Holmes IN

Coin Details

Description

C.L. Holmes, an Indianapolis merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Indianapolis served as a major Union military staging area, with Camp Morton housing Confederate prisoners and Governor Morton directing one of the war's most vigorous state efforts. C.L. Holmes issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in zinc, this die combination (Fuld 460H-1i) is scarce. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable. 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

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 6 cataloged varieties, C.L. Holmes was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460H-1i