(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-690B-2b, A.C. Connely's IL

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of A.C. Connely's, located in Paris, Illinois. Illinois was a critical Union state with Chicago rapidly becoming one of America's largest commercial centers, driving token production across the state. A.C. Connely's issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This brass striking (Fuld 690B-2b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 9 cataloged varieties, A.C. Connely's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 690B-2b