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

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Charles Kuhn in Indianapolis, Indiana, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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. Charles Kuhn issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This zinc striking (Fuld 460J-1i) is scarce among the known varieties. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable. The Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 5 cataloged varieties, Charles Kuhn was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460J-1i