(1861) Copper Civil War Store Card F-150BC-1a, C & S. Stein IL

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from C & S. Stein of Chicago, Illinois, cataloged as Fuld 150BC-1a. 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. C & S. Stein issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 150BC-1a) is common among the known varieties. 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. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

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, C & S. Stein was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 150BC-1a