(1864) Copper Civil War Store Card F-970A-1a, J.G. Williams & Co. IN

Coin Details

Description

J.G. Williams & Co., based in Wheeling, Indiana, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. With 4 known varieties, J.G. Williams & Co. produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 970A-1a) is common for this merchant. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. 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 4 cataloged varieties, J.G. Williams & Co. was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 970A-1a