(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-190B-2B, IN

Coin Details

Description

Ira W. Bowen of Corunna 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. Ira W. Bowen issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The brass composition of this variety (Fuld 190B-2B) is common to somewhat scarce for this merchant. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 5 cataloged varieties, Ira W. Bowen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 190B-2B