(1863) Zinc Civil War Store Card F-460M-1i, Moritz, Bro & Co. IN

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Moritz, Bro & Co., operating in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Moritz, Bro & Co. issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The zinc composition of this variety (Fuld 460M-1i) is scarce for this merchant. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 6 cataloged varieties, Moritz, Bro & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460M-1i