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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Ash & Black of Bowlinggrn, Indiana. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. Ash & Black issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 120B-4D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Like the majority of Civil War store cards, this token is undated, produced during the acute 1862-1864 small change crisis. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 7 cataloged varieties, Ash & Black was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 120B-4D