(1862) Brass Civil War Store Card F-560A-1b, G.R. Bowman MD

Coin Details

Auction Record

$720 F Details 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of G.R. Bowman in Hagerstown, Maryland, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Maryland was a border state with significant Confederate sympathies, particularly in Baltimore, where merchants issued tokens during the small change shortage. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 560A-1b) is common to somewhat scarce. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. The brass composition gives this token a warm golden tone that contrasts with the reddish-brown of copper strikings. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 1 cataloged varieties, G.R. Bowman was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 560A-1b