(1861-65) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-481/486a, Hope/V.T. Militia

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 481, an allegorical figure of Hope depicted as a woman with an anchor, a neoclassical motif on English-made dies dated 1844 but used during the Civil War era, with reverse die 486 bearing a Vermont Militia inscription. The Hope series uses English-made dies depicting allegorical figures including Hope with an anchor, genre scenes with animals, and the inscription "WAR OF 1861." These dies were manufactured in England and imported for use on Civil War-era tokens, giving them a distinctive artistic character. Copper was the standard metal for patriotic tokens, chosen because cent-sized copper pieces could pass as substitute federal cents in everyday commerce. Dated 1861-65. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, and the introduction of fractional currency notes and new bronze two-cent pieces gradually eliminated the need for emergency tokens.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 481/486a. Die pairing: obverse 481, reverse 486. 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 481/486a