(1862) Iron Civil War Patriotic Token F-498/499, The First Clad

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,320 AU Details 08-25-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 498, a design commemorating "THE FIRST CLAD" coinage, with reverse die 499 bearing a design featuring "The First Clad". The Hope series uses English-made dies depicting allegorical figures including Hope with an anchor, genre scenes with animals, and the inscription "WAR OF 1861." These dies were manufactured in England and imported for use on Civil War-era tokens, giving them a distinctive artistic character. Struck in copper, the most practical metal for tokens intended to fill the gap left by hoarded federal cents. Copper tokens survive in greater numbers than any other composition, reflecting their enormous production volumes. Dated 1862. 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 498/499. Die pairing: obverse 498, reverse 499. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens. 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 498/499