(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-355A-2D, IN

Coin Details

Description

C. Crooks & Co., based in Granville, Indiana, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. C. Crooks & Co. issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 355A-2D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. 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 6 cataloged varieties, C. Crooks & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 355A-2D