(1861) Copper Civil War Store Card F-150BC-5a, C & S. Stein IL

Coin Details

Description

C & S. Stein 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. C & S. Stein issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 150BC-5a) is common for this merchant. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. 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-5a