(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-560A-1I, IA

Coin Details

Description

Wm. Flemming & Bro., based in Lansing, Iowa, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Iowa contributed disproportionately to the war effort relative to its population, with merchants issuing tokens in small numbers reflecting its less urbanized economy. Wm. Flemming & Bro. issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The zinc composition of this variety (Fuld 560A-1I) is scarce for this merchant. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Zinc strikings are uncommon and prone to corrosion, making preserved examples desirable.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 5 cataloged varieties, Wm. Flemming & Bro. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 560A-1I