(1863) Nickel Civil War Store Card F-150AD-1c, R. Heilbroner IL

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from R. Heilbroner of 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, R. Heilbroner produced a modest number of token types. The nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 150AD-1c) is scarce for this merchant. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Pure nickel pieces are harder to strike than copper, contributing to their relative scarcity. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Nickel strikings are generally scarcer than copper or brass versions, as nickel was more expensive and harder to strike. With 2 cataloged varieties, R. Heilbroner was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 150AD-1c