(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-150K-4C, IL

Coin Details

Description

Childs' of 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. The 14 cataloged varieties for Childs' indicate a notable level of token production. The nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 150K-4C) is scarce for this merchant. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. Nickel tokens were produced in smaller quantities than the standard copper issues.

Rarity Notes

Nickel strikings are generally scarcer than copper or brass versions, as nickel was more expensive and harder to strike. With 14 cataloged varieties, Childs' was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 150K-4C