(No Date) German-Silver Civil War Store Card F-150W-1j, Freedman, Goodkind & Co. IL

Coin Details

Description

Store card of F-*IL in Illinois, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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, F-*IL produced a modest number of token types. Struck in german-silver, this die combination (Fuld 150W-1j) is scarce. 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 Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. 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 3 cataloged varieties, F-*IL was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 150W-1j