(1861-65) White Metal Civil War Patriotic Token F-115/115Ae, George-Martha Washington

Coin Details

Auction Record

$168 AU Details 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 115, a bust of George Washington, invoking the founding ideals of the republic to frame the Union cause as a continuation of the American Revolution, with reverse die 115A bearing portraits of George and Martha Washington. George Washington obverse dies invoked the founding ideals of the republic, framing the Civil War as a continuation of the Revolution. Washington's image on tokens drew a direct line from 1776 to the struggle to preserve the Union his generation created. Struck in white metal (a lead-tin alloy), producing a silvery appearance. White metal tokens are scarcer than copper and often show softer details due to the alloy's lower hardness. 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 115/115Ae. Die pairing: obverse 115, reverse 115A. White metal (lead/tin alloy) strikes are scarcer than copper. 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 115/115Ae