(1864) Copper Civil War Store Card F-470A-1a, G.W. Wayland IN

Coin Details

Description

G.W. Wayland of Jamestown 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 3 known varieties, G.W. Wayland produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 470A-1a) is common. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. 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

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 3 cataloged varieties, G.W. Wayland was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 470A-1a