(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-640A-2d, W.H.P. Woodward IN

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by W.H.P. Woodward, operating in Mooresvill, Indiana. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. With 3 known varieties, W.H.P. Woodward produced a modest number of token types. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 640A-2d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, surviving tokens became instant collectibles, with serious collecting beginning within a decade of the war's end.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 3 cataloged varieties, W.H.P. Woodward was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 640A-2d