(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-10A-1I, IN

Coin Details

Description

Wolfe & Sherman, an Alexandria merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. Wolfe & Sherman issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in zinc, this die combination (Fuld 10A-1I) is scarce. Like the majority of Civil War store cards, this token is undated, produced during the acute 1862-1864 small change crisis. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 8 cataloged varieties, Wolfe & Sherman was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 10A-1I