(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-460R-5d, J.F. Lenour IN

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from J.F. Lenour of Indianapolis, Indiana, cataloged as Fuld 460R-5d. 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. The 10 cataloged varieties for J.F. Lenour indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 460R-5d) is somewhat scarce. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 10 cataloged varieties, J.F. Lenour was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460R-5d