(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-460M-3d, Moritz, Bro. & Co. IN

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,020 MS65 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War store card issued by Moritz, Bro & Co. of Indianapolis, Indiana. As Indiana's capital and a major railroad hub, Indianapolis was the center of the state's Civil War token production, with merchants using tokens as practical emergency currency. Moritz, Bro & Co. issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 460M-3d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. 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. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, surviving tokens became instant collectibles, with serious collecting beginning within a decade of the war's end.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 6 cataloged varieties, Moritz, Bro & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460M-3d