(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-360A-1D, IN

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Carr Ryon & Co, operating in Greenfield, Indiana. Indiana was an important agricultural and manufacturing state, with merchants producing store cards as emergency currency when federal coinage was hoarded. Carr Ryon & Co issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 360A-1D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern 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 6 cataloged varieties, Carr Ryon & Co was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 360A-1D