(1863) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-120/256b, The Washington Token

Coin Details

Auction Record

$384 MS64 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 120, a George Washington portrait paired with the dramatic "HORRORS OF WAR" theme, with reverse die 256 bearing the dramatic inscription "HORRORS OF WAR". This unflinching design acknowledged the enormous human cost of the conflict. Washington obverse dies connected the Union cause to the nation's founding principles. The first president's portrait on Civil War tokens reminded Northerners that the republic Washington helped create was worth fighting to preserve. Brass tokens stand out from the copper majority with their warm golden hue. The brass industry centered in Waterbury, Connecticut provided ready access to this alloy for New England token manufacturers. Bearing the date 1863. 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 120/256b. Die pairing: obverse 120, reverse 256. 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 120/256b