(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-460I-3D, IN

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 460I-3D — store card of J.B. Johnson, Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. J.B. Johnson issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 460I-3D) is somewhat scarce. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. 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, J.B. Johnson was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460I-3D