(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-460G-1I, IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by J.C. Hereth of Indianapolis, Indiana. As Indiana's capital and a major railroad hub, Indianapolis was the center of the state's Civil War token production, with merchants using tokens as practical emergency currency. J.C. Hereth issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in zinc, this die combination (Fuld 460G-1I) is scarce. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 5 cataloged varieties, J.C. Hereth was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460G-1I