(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-460O-3d, Pomeroy, Fry & Co. IN

Coin Details

Description

Pomeroy, Fry & Co., based in Indianapolis, Indiana, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. 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. Pomeroy, Fry & Co. issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 460O-3d) is somewhat scarce. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. 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. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 460O-3d