(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-690E-1A, IL

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 690E-1A — store card of Sisk & Whalen, Paris, Illinois. Illinois was a critical Union state with Chicago rapidly becoming one of America's largest commercial centers, driving token production across the state. Sisk & Whalen issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 690E-1A) is common for this merchant. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 7 cataloged varieties, Sisk & Whalen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 690E-1A