(1862) Medal GW-262, Civil War Dog Tag

Coin Details

Auction Record

$552 F15 08-23-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This medal cataloged as GW-262 served as a Civil War identification dog tag, produced circa 1862. Civil War soldiers faced the grim reality that death in battle could leave them unidentifiable, and many purchased or fashioned personal identification tokens to ensure their remains could be returned to their families. This Washington-themed piece served this practical purpose while also declaring the wearer's patriotic allegiance through the first president's portrait. The practice of wearing identification was not yet standardized by the military — official dog tags would not be mandated until the twentieth century — so soldiers improvised using commercial tokens, engraved coins, and purpose-made identification pieces like this one. The GW-262 designation indicates this was a commercially produced piece available for purchase by soldiers at sutler's shops or through mail order. Washington's image on a soldier's identification tag connected the wearer's service to the founding generation's sacrifice, framing Civil War military service as a continuation of the Revolutionary War cause.

Rarity Notes

GW-262. Civil War era identification dog tag. Survival rate is low due to field use and burial. Scarce.

Cross References

PCGS #930559; GW-262; Civil War Dog Tag