(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-295A-2d, Hulsman & Alexander IN

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,880 MS66 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from Hulsman & Alexander, a Franklin, Indiana business. Indiana was an important agricultural and manufacturing state, with merchants producing store cards as emergency currency when federal coinage was hoarded. With 4 known varieties, Hulsman & Alexander produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 295A-2d) is somewhat scarce. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 4 cataloged varieties, Hulsman & Alexander was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 295A-2d