(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-692A-1a, Yankee Robinson IL

Coin Details

Auction Record

$115 MS62BN 03-05-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Yankee Robinson, a Peoria merchant, issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Illinois was a critical Union state with Chicago rapidly becoming one of America's largest commercial centers, driving token production across the state. The 10 cataloged varieties for Yankee Robinson indicate a notable level of token production. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 692A-1a) is common for this merchant. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

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 10 cataloged varieties, Yankee Robinson was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 692A-1a