(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-755A-2a, A.J. Davis IL

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by A.J. Davis, operating in Rockford, 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 4 known varieties, A.J. Davis produced a modest number of token types. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 755A-2a) is common. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. 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

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 4 cataloged varieties, A.J. Davis was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 755A-2a