(1861) Copper Civil War Store Card F-150BC-2a, C&S. Stein IL

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of C & S. Stein, located in Chicago, Illinois. 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. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 150BC-2a) is common for this merchant. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. 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-2a