(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-150K-5D, IL

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Childs' in Illinois, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 150K-5D) is somewhat scarce. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 14 cataloged varieties, Childs' was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 150K-5D