(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-420A-1e, WI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of W.H. Horn, located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. The 10 cataloged varieties for W.H. Horn indicate a notable level of token production. This white metal striking (Fuld 420A-1e) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 10 cataloged varieties, W.H. Horn was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 420A-1e