(1863) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-1/359b, Not One Cent

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 1, a French-style Liberty head facing left surrounded by thirteen stars, the most common obverse die family on Civil War patriotic tokens, with reverse die 359 bearing the provocative legend "NOT ONE CENT" within a wreath. This seemingly contradictory inscription acknowledged the token had no legal-tender status while it simultaneously served as a cent substitute in everyday commerce. The French Liberty obverse belongs to the largest die family in the patriotic token series. Their classical design echoed the imagery found on contemporary French coins and medals, providing a cosmopolitan look that set them apart from cruder token designs. Struck in brass, a less common composition that gave the token a distinctive golden color distinguishing it from the copper standard. Dated 1863. 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 1/359b. Die pairing: obverse 1, reverse 359. Brass strikes are less common 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 1/359b