(1861-65) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-252/271a, Masonic

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 252, a Masonic compass-and-square design reflecting the prominent role of fraternal lodges in Northern civic life, with reverse die 271 bearing a design featuring "No Slavery". This die range includes naval subjects, constitutional themes, Masonic imagery, and commercial designs. The diversity reflects the wide range of interests and loyalties expressed through the Civil War token medium, from military patriotism to fraternal and commercial concerns. 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. Produced in 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 252/271a. Die pairing: obverse 252, reverse 271. 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 252/271a