(1861-65) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-135/440a, Our Country-Now And For Ever

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 135, a portrait of Andrew Jackson or a Union loyalty design, with reverse die 440 bearing the inscription "NOW AND FOR EVER". Andrew Jackson obverse dies revived the seventh president's famous 1830 anti-nullification toast, drawing a parallel between the Nullification Crisis and the secession crisis three decades later. Jackson's forceful assertion of federal supremacy resonated powerfully with Union supporters. This copper striking represents the standard composition for patriotic tokens. Die sinkers chose copper because its properties — malleability, durability, and cent-like appearance — made it ideal for mass-produced emergency currency. Dated 1861-65. The Fuld catalog documents over 10,000 distinct die combinations for patriotic tokens, making this one of the most complex series in all of American numismatics. Many die pairings are known from only a handful of surviving specimens.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 135/440a. Die pairing: obverse 135, reverse 440. 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 135/440a