(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-70A-1I, IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Baum Walter & Co. of Avilla, Indiana. Indiana was an important agricultural and manufacturing state, with merchants producing store cards as emergency currency when federal coinage was hoarded. Baum Walter & Co. issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in zinc, this die combination (Fuld 70A-1I) is scarce. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. 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 6 cataloged varieties, Baum Walter & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 70A-1I