(1861) Copper Civil War Store Card F-150BB-5a, J.F. Siehler IL

Coin Details

Description

Store card of J.F. Siehler in Chicago, Illinois, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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. This copper striking (Fuld 150BB-5a) is common among the known varieties. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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-5a