(No Date) German-Silver Civil War Store Card F-150B-1j, Barker & Illsley IL

Coin Details

Auction Record

$384 MS63 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War store card issued by Barker & Illsley of Illinois. 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, Barker & Illsley produced a modest number of token types. The german-silver composition of this variety (Fuld 150B-1j) is 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. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. The German silver alloy gives these tokens an attractive appearance that has made them popular with collectors.

Rarity Notes

German silver (a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and are sought after for their distinctive silvery appearance. With 2 cataloged varieties, Barker & Illsley was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 150B-1j