(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-320B-1a, D.S. Brewster IL

Coin Details

Description

D.S. Brewster, based in Freeport, Illinois, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. 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, D.S. Brewster produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 320B-1a) is common among the known varieties. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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, D.S. Brewster was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 320B-1a