(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-395A-3d, Jas. Lyon IN

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Jas. Lyon, operating in Hartford, Indiana. Indiana was an important agricultural and manufacturing state, with merchants producing store cards as emergency currency when federal coinage was hoarded. Jas. Lyon issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 395A-3d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 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 6 cataloged varieties, Jas. Lyon was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 395A-3d