(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225E-2a, G. Bamlet MI

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by G. Bamlet, operating in Detroit, Michigan. 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. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 225E-2a) is common for this merchant. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. The cent-sized format was chosen deliberately to match the federal Indian Head cent, the coin most conspicuously absent from daily 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 7 cataloged varieties, G. Bamlet was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225E-2a