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

Coin Details

Description

Weaver & Maguire, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime 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. Weaver & Maguire issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 460X-1A) is common among the known varieties. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. 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 6 cataloged varieties, Weaver & Maguire was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460X-1A