(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-145B-2d, G.L. Bowne NY

Coin Details

Description

G.L. Bowne of New York produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. G.L. Bowne operated "The Iron Clad" hardware store in Cooperstown, New York — a business name cleverly referencing both ironclad warships and the iron goods sold within. His tokens read "WILL REDEEM AT THE IRON CLAD / G.L. BOWNE." The Iron Clad Building at 92 Main Street is now a contributing structure to the Cooperstown Historic District. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 145B-2d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 15 cataloged varieties, G.L. Bowne was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 145B-2d