(1861) White Metal Civil War Patriotic Token F-538/539e, Union Now And Forever
Strike Type
Coin Details
Auction Record
$4,080 AU50 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers
Description
Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 538, a political campaign or special issue design, with reverse die 539 bearing a design featuring "Union Now And Forever". Benjamin True of Cincinnati produced this political campaign die series featuring the 1860 presidential candidates. The series includes both pro-Union and pro-Southern designs, making it a unique numismatic record of the deeply divided political landscape on the eve of war. 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. Bearing the date 1861. Patriotic tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many tokens show heavy wear consistent with extended use in commerce.
Rarity Notes
Fuld 538/539e. Die pairing: obverse 538, reverse 539. 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 538/539e
External References
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