(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225AI-1a, Hamman & Co MI

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 225AI-1a — store card of Hamman & Co, Detroit, Michigan. Detroit was Michigan's largest city and a major manufacturing center, producing stoves, railroad equipment, and industrial goods for the Northern war effort. Hamman & Co issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 225AI-1a) is common among the known varieties. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. The coin shortage was exacerbated by the simultaneous withdrawal of gold and silver from circulation following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 6 cataloged varieties, Hamman & Co was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225AI-1a