(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-360B-4D, OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from T.P. Turpen, a Greenville, Ohio business. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. T.P. Turpen issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 360B-4D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Although undated, this token was produced during the 1862-1864 period when federal coins disappeared from commerce. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. 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, T.P. Turpen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 360B-4D