(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-460O-2D, IN

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Pomeroy, Fry & Co., operating in 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. Pomeroy, Fry & Co. issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 460O-2D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. 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. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 6 cataloged varieties, Pomeroy, Fry & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460O-2D