(1860-65) Token F-165EI-3b Brass PE Jos. J. Sayre OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$456 AU55 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This brass patriotic envelope Civil War token from 1860-65 is cataloged as Fuld 165EI-3b and was issued by Jos. J. Sayre of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Fuld catalog, compiled by George and Melvin Fuld, is the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with the numbering system encoding the city (165 = Cincinnati), the merchant identifier (EI), the die combination (3), and the metal (b = brass). Cincinnati was one of the most prolific centers of Civil War token production, with its established die sinking industry and strategic position as a major commercial hub on the Ohio River. Jos. J. Sayre was a Cincinnati merchant who issued tokens bearing the PE (Patriotic Envelope) reverse, one of the standard patriotic designs used across the Civil War token series. Civil War tokens emerged in 1862-63 when the hoarding of federal coinage created a severe shortage of small change for everyday commerce. Merchants responded by issuing their own cent-sized tokens that served simultaneously as advertising media and as emergency currency. The brass composition of Fuld 165EI-3b distinguishes it from the more common copper strikings, as brass versions were typically produced in smaller quantities and are generally scarcer today.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 165EI-3b in brass is scarce. Cincinnati Civil War tokens are widely collected, and brass examples command a premium over copper versions of the same die combination.

Cross References

PCGS #824614; Fuld 165EI-3b; Jos. J. Sayre, Cincinnati OH; Civil War store card