(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-460B-4A, IN

Coin Details

Description

Boston Store, an Indianapolis merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Indianapolis served as a major Union military staging area, with Camp Morton housing Confederate prisoners and Governor Morton directing one of the war's most vigorous state efforts. Boston Store issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 460B-4A) is common among the known varieties. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 6 cataloged varieties, Boston Store was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460B-4A