(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-762A-2A, IL

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of V.A. Lake, located in Rockton, Illinois. Illinois was a critical Union state with Chicago rapidly becoming one of America's largest commercial centers, driving token production across the state. V.A. Lake issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 762A-2A) is common. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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 5 cataloged varieties, V.A. Lake was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 762A-2A