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

Coin Details

Description

Carr Ryon & Co of Greenfield 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. Carr Ryon & Co issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in zinc, this die combination (Fuld 360A-1I) is scarce. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. 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. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 6 cataloged varieties, Carr Ryon & Co was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 360A-1I