(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-690E-2B, IL

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Sisk & Whalen, operating in 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 brass composition of this variety (Fuld 690E-2B) is common to somewhat scarce for this merchant. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. 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 7 cataloged varieties, Sisk & Whalen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 690E-2B