(1864) White Metal Civil War Store Card F-145B-2e, G.L. Bowne NY

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 145B-2e — store card of G.L. Bowne, New York. 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. Struck in white metal, this die combination (Fuld 145B-2e) is somewhat scarce. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. White metal (a tin-based alloy) pieces are scarcer than copper and often show significant wear from their soft composition.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 15 cataloged varieties, G.L. Bowne was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 145B-2e