(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-10A-2A, IN

Coin Details

Description

Wolfe & Sherman of Alexandria issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War 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 copper, this die combination (Fuld 10A-2A) is common. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 8 cataloged varieties, Wolfe & Sherman was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 10A-2A