No Date Token F-775B-2b Brass PE W.B. Castle IL

Coin Details

Description

This undated Civil War era store card, cataloged as Fuld 775B-2b, is a brass patriotic edition token issued by W.B. Castle of Illinois. Castle was an Illinois merchant who participated in the widespread private token issuance that characterized the 1862-1864 period of severe coin shortage. Illinois contributed a substantial number of merchants to the Civil War token economy, with tokens issued from Chicago, Springfield, and smaller towns throughout the state. The brass composition provided a durable and attractive medium for these emergency cent substitutes. Regional token collecting focuses on pieces from specific states, cities, or geographic areas, creating specialized knowledge about local commercial history that enriches broader numismatic understanding. Illinois tokens occupy a middle tier of availability among Civil War store cards — more common than tokens from smaller states like Rhode Island or Delaware, but less abundant than the enormous output from Ohio and New York.

Rarity Notes

Civil War store card, Fuld 775B-2b. Brass patriotic edition. W.B. Castle, IL.

Cross References

PCGS #655035; Fuld 775B-2b; W.B. Castle, IL