(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-580A-2d, Elliott & Hinshaw IN

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,800 MS64 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from Elliott & Hinshaw, a Lynn, Indiana business. Indiana was an important agricultural and manufacturing state, with merchants producing store cards as emergency currency when federal coinage was hoarded. Elliott & Hinshaw issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 580A-2d) is somewhat scarce. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 7 cataloged varieties, Elliott & Hinshaw was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 580A-2d