(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-800B-4D, IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from G.P. Emswiler & Co., a Richmond, Indiana business. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. The 10 cataloged varieties for G.P. Emswiler & Co. indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 800B-4D) is somewhat scarce. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. 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 10 cataloged varieties, G.P. Emswiler & Co. was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 800B-4D