(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-460R-1A, IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of J.F. Lenour, located 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. The 10 cataloged varieties for J.F. Lenour indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 460R-1A) is common. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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 10 cataloged varieties, J.F. Lenour was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460R-1A