(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-890B-2b, GW-623 J.L. Loveday & Co. IL

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from J.L. Loveday & Co., a Waukegan, Illinois business. Illinois was a critical Union state with Chicago rapidly becoming one of America's largest commercial centers, driving token production across the state. With 4 known varieties, J.L. Loveday & Co. produced a modest number of token types. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 890B-2b) is common to somewhat scarce. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors. 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

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 4 cataloged varieties, J.L. Loveday & Co. was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 890B-2b