(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-615A-2d, C. Stutz IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by C. Stutz of Middlebury, Indiana. Indiana was an important agricultural and manufacturing state, with merchants producing store cards as emergency currency when federal coinage was hoarded. C. Stutz issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 615A-2d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. 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. 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 5 cataloged varieties, C. Stutz was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 615A-2d