(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-690E-4D, IL

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from Sisk & Whalen, 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. Sisk & Whalen issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 690E-4D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Like the majority of Civil War store cards, this token is undated, produced during the acute 1862-1864 small change crisis. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 7 cataloged varieties, Sisk & Whalen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 690E-4D