(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-692A-18a, Yankee Robinsons IL

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Yankee Robinson, operating in Peoria, Illinois. Illinois was a critical Union state with Chicago rapidly becoming one of America's largest commercial centers, driving token production across the state. The 10 cataloged varieties for Yankee Robinson indicate a notable level of token production. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 692A-18a) is common for this merchant. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

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 10 cataloged varieties, Yankee Robinson was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 692A-18a