(No Date) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-185A-1d, Jacob Groyen IN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Jacob Groyen in Indiana. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. Jacob Groyen issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 185A-1d) is somewhat scarce. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 5 cataloged varieties, Jacob Groyen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 185A-1d