(No Date) Copper Civil War Store Card F-960A-1a, J.W. Walton OH

Coin Details

Description

Store card of J.W. Walton in Woodsfield, Ohio, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. J.W. Walton issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 960A-1a) is common for this merchant. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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, J.W. Walton was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 960A-1a