(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-120A-4D, IN

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Re O.H.P. Ash's of Bowlinggrn, Indiana, cataloged as Fuld 120A-4D. Indiana was an important agricultural and manufacturing state, with merchants producing store cards as emergency currency when federal coinage was hoarded. Re O.H.P. Ash's issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 120A-4D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 9 cataloged varieties, Re O.H.P. Ash's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 120A-4D