(1861) Civil War Patriotic Token F-147/228f, I Am Ready

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,320 MS61 04-03-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 147, a uniformed Wide-Awake supporter inscribed "I AM READY" — the Wide-Awakes were a Republican paramilitary organization that supported Lincoln's 1860 campaign, with reverse die 228 bearing a design featuring "I Am Ready". Civil War patriotic tokens were privately struck cent-sized pieces that circulated as emergency currency during 1862-1864, when wartime hoarding drained federal coinage from commerce. Over 25 million patriotic tokens were produced before Congress banned private coinage in April 1864. Struck in silver, a rare composition reserved for special orders or presentation pieces. Silver patriotic tokens were produced in tiny quantities for collectors and dignitaries. Dated 1861. 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 147/228f. Die pairing: obverse 147, reverse 228. Silver strikes are rare presentation or special-order pieces. 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 147/228f