(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-150BB-3a, J.F. Siehler IL

Coin Details

Auction Record

$552 MS63BN 12-16-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

J.F. Siehler of Chicago issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Chicago was one of the fastest-growing cities in the world by 1860, rapidly becoming America's railroad hub and grain trading center with a population of 112,000. J.F. Siehler issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 150BB-3a) is common. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

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.F. Siehler was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 150BB-3a