(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-890A-1a, Kingsley & Whipple IL

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 890A-1a — store card of Kingsley & Whipple, Waukegan, 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 2 known varieties, Kingsley & Whipple produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 890A-1a) is common among the known varieties. 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. The coin shortage of 1862-1864 affected virtually every retail transaction in the Northern states, as hoarding removed silver and copper coins from circulation faster than the U.S. Mint could replace them. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

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, Kingsley & Whipple was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 890A-1a