(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-690D-3B, IL

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from Penoyer & Larkin, a Paris, Illinois business. Illinois was a critical Union state with Chicago rapidly becoming one of America's largest commercial centers, driving token production across the state. The 10 cataloged varieties for Penoyer & Larkin indicate a notable level of token production. The brass composition of this variety (Fuld 690D-3B) is common to somewhat scarce for this merchant. 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. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Brass strikings are among the more available variants, though less common than copper.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 10 cataloged varieties, Penoyer & Larkin was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 690D-3B