(1861-65) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-224/322a, The Federal Union

Coin Details

Auction Record

$144 MS65BN 09-23-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 224, a design inscribed "THE FEDERAL UNION IT MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED," Andrew Jackson's famous toast — one of the most common patriotic token inscriptions with over ten obverse die varieties, with reverse die 322 bearing the inscription "THE FEDERAL UNION IT MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED". This famous phrase originated as Andrew Jackson's toast during the 1830 Nullification Crisis and was revived as a powerful declaration of Union supremacy. The "Federal Union" inscription dies transformed Jackson's 1830 toast into a rallying cry for the 1860s. These text-heavy obverses sacrificed artistic elaboration for maximum clarity of message, ensuring the words could be read even on well-worn tokens. Copper was the standard metal for patriotic tokens, chosen because cent-sized copper pieces could pass as substitute federal cents in everyday commerce. Produced in 1861-65.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 224/322a. Die pairing: obverse 224, reverse 322. 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 224/322a