(1863) Zinc Civil War Store Card F-460I-1i, J.B. Johnson IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by J.B. Johnson of Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. J.B. Johnson issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The zinc composition of this variety (Fuld 460I-1i) is scarce for this merchant. 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. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 460I-1i