(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-70A-2D, IN

Coin Details

Description

Baum Walter & Co., based in Avilla, Indiana, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. Baum Walter & Co. issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 70A-2D) is somewhat scarce. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 6 cataloged varieties, Baum Walter & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 70A-2D