(1861-65) White Metal Civil War Patriotic Token F-135/441e, Our Country-Now And For Ever

Coin Details

Auction Record

$144 XF Details 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 135, a portrait of Andrew Jackson or a Union loyalty design, with reverse die 441 bearing the inscription "A COMMON CAUSE". The Andrew Jackson obverse invoked Old Hickory's defiant stance against South Carolina's nullification attempt in 1832-33. For Civil War-era Unionists, Jackson's words — "The Union — It must be preserved" — carried renewed urgency and authority. The white metal composition gives this token a silvery appearance that contrasts with the more common copper issues. White metal is softer than copper, so surviving examples often show greater wear or softer strike details. Bearing the date 1861-65. New York City produced over half of all Civil War patriotic tokens, with additional output from Waterbury, Connecticut (center of the brass industry) and Cincinnati, Ohio (home of John Stanton and other prolific die sinkers).

Rarity Notes

Fuld 135/441e. Die pairing: obverse 135, reverse 441. 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 135/441e