(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-460F-4d, J.B. Grout IN

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,040 MS65 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from J.B. Grout, an Indianapolis, Indiana business. 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. J.B. Grout issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 460F-4d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 7 cataloged varieties, J.B. Grout was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460F-4d