(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-762A-3D, IL

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from V.A. Lake, a Rockton, 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. V.A. Lake issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 762A-3D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. 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. 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 5 cataloged varieties, V.A. Lake was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 762A-3D