(1861-65) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-105/391a, I.O.U. 1 Cent

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 105, a bust of George Washington, invoking the founding ideals of the republic to frame the Union cause as a continuation of the American Revolution, with reverse die 391 bearing the playful inscription "I.O.U. 1 CENT". This whimsical legend cast the token as an informal promissory note, reflecting the pragmatic humor with which merchants adopted private tokens. George Washington obverse dies invoked the founding ideals of the republic, framing the Civil War as a continuation of the Revolution. Washington's image on tokens drew a direct line from 1776 to the struggle to preserve the Union his generation created. The copper alloy used for this token matched the federal cent specification closely enough that these pieces passed freely in commerce during the coin shortage of 1862-1864. Dated 1861-65. Patriotic tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many tokens show heavy wear consistent with extended use in commerce.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 105/391a. Die pairing: obverse 105, reverse 391. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens. The Fuld rarity scale ranges from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique); survival depends on the specific die combination, metal, and condition.

Cross References

Fuld 105/391a