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

Coin Details

Description

Roos & Schmalzried of Indianapolis issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. 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. Roos & Schmalzried issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This zinc striking (Fuld 460Q-1I) is scarce among the known varieties. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 6 cataloged varieties, Roos & Schmalzried was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460Q-1I