(No Date) German-Silver Civil War Store Card F-150M-2j, R.H. Countiss IL

Coin Details

Description

R.H. Countiss 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 3 known varieties, R.H. Countiss produced a modest number of token types. This german-silver striking (Fuld 150M-2j) is scarce among the known varieties. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. German silver pieces have a silvery-white color that distinguishes them from the more common copper and brass strikings.

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 3 cataloged varieties, R.H. Countiss was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 150M-2j