(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-295A-1A, IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Hulsman & Alexander, located in Franklin, Indiana. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. With 4 known varieties, Hulsman & Alexander produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 295A-1A) is common among the known varieties. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

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 4 cataloged varieties, Hulsman & Alexander was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 295A-1A