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

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Sisk & Whalen of Paris, Illinois, cataloged as Fuld 690E-2I. 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. This zinc striking (Fuld 690E-2I) is scarce among the known varieties. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Zinc tokens corrode easily, and surviving examples in good condition are scarce.

Rarity Notes

Zinc strikings are relatively uncommon and prone to corrosion, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. With 7 cataloged varieties, Sisk & Whalen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 690E-2I