(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-460J-2d, Charles Kuhn IN

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Charles Kuhn in Indianapolis, Indiana, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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. Charles Kuhn issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 460J-2d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. The cent-sized format was chosen deliberately to match the federal Indian Head cent, the coin most conspicuously absent from daily commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 5 cataloged varieties, Charles Kuhn was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460J-2d