(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-680A-2d, J.F. Larwell IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by J.F. Larwell of New Albany, Indiana. Indiana was an important agricultural and manufacturing state, with merchants producing store cards as emergency currency when federal coinage was hoarded. With 2 known varieties, J.F. Larwell produced a modest number of token types. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 680A-2d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. 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. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. 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 2 cataloged varieties, J.F. Larwell was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 680A-2d