(1861-65) German Silver Civil War Patriotic Token F-54/430j, Penny Saved

Coin Details

Auction Record

$456 PCGS Genuine 09-15-2024 eBay

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 54, a design featuring Benjamin Franklin's maxim "A PENNY SAVED IS A PENNY EARNED", with reverse die 430 bearing Benjamin Franklin's maxim "A PENNY SAVED IS A PENNY EARNED". Franklin's thrift wisdom resonated during a period when actual pennies were being hoarded. Dies in this military obverse range capture the martial spirit of the Northern home front. Slogans, weapons, and military insignia dominate these designs, reflecting the public's intense focus on the progress and prosecution of the war. Struck in German silver (a copper-nickel-zinc alloy also called nickel silver), a scarce composition for Civil War tokens. The silvery appearance gave these pieces a more precious look than standard copper issues. Bearing the date 1861-65. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans began hoarding federal coins following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861, creating the currency vacuum that patriotic tokens filled.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 54/430j. Die pairing: obverse 54, reverse 430. German silver (nickel silver) strikes are scarce. 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 54/430j