(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-460P-3d, Roll & Smith IN

Coin Details

Auction Record

$780 MS64 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Roll & Smith, operating in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Roll & Smith issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 460P-3d) 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 Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 460P-3d