(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225E-1a, G. Bamlet MI

Coin Details

Description

G. Bamlet of Detroit issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Detroit's growing industrial economy made it a significant source of Civil War tokens, with merchants across the city issuing pieces to maintain commerce. G. Bamlet issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 225E-1a) is common. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Between 1862 and 1864, Northern merchants produced millions of private tokens to compensate for the disappearance of federal coinage. The Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

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 7 cataloged varieties, G. Bamlet was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225E-1a