(No Date) Copper Civil War Store Card F-150P-2a, F.N. Dubois IL

Coin Details

Auction Record

$504 AU53BN 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

F-*IL of Illinois issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Illinois was a critical Union state with Chicago rapidly becoming one of America's largest commercial centers, driving token production across the state. With 2 known varieties, F-*IL produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 150P-2a) is common for this merchant. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 2 cataloged varieties, F-*IL was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 150P-2a