(1861) Copper Civil War Store Card F-210A-2a, Ed. Weibezahn IL

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Ed. Weibezahn, located in Dixon, Illinois. Illinois was a critical Union state with Chicago rapidly becoming one of America's largest commercial centers, driving token production across the state. With 2 known varieties, Ed. Weibezahn produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 210A-2a) 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. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, the U.S. Mint dramatically increased production of small-denomination coins, and the new bronze two-cent piece helped alleviate the shortage. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

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 2 cataloged varieties, Ed. Weibezahn was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 210A-2a