(1861) Silver Civil War Patriotic Token F-260/447f, Concession Before Secession

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,880 MS64 04-03-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 260, a patriotic or political design from the Civil War era, with reverse die 447 bearing the inscription "CONCESSION BEFORE SECESSION". These privately manufactured cent-sized tokens served as emergency coinage throughout the North from 1862 to 1864. Their production was an entrepreneurial response to the wartime disappearance of federal small change from everyday commerce. 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. Produced in 1861. The end of the token era came swiftly in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of a brief but remarkable chapter in American monetary history.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 260/447f. Die pairing: obverse 260, reverse 447. 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 260/447f