(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-70A-3d, Baum Walter & Co. IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Baum Walter & Co., located in Avilla, Indiana. Indiana was an important agricultural and manufacturing state, with merchants producing store cards as emergency currency when federal coinage was hoarded. Baum Walter & Co. issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 70A-3d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 6 cataloged varieties, Baum Walter & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 70A-3d