(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-300A-1f, WI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of E.S. Barrows in Wisconsin. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. With 3 known varieties, E.S. Barrows produced a modest number of token types. Struck in silver, this die combination (Fuld 300A-1f) is rare. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced as presentation or collector pieces.

Rarity Notes

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 3 cataloged varieties, E.S. Barrows was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 300A-1f