(1863) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-188/384b, Industry-Not One Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$100 AU50 06-23-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 188, an allegorical figure of Industry, personifying the productive Northern economy that sustained the Union war effort, with reverse die 384 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. This die group encompasses shield designs, cannon motifs, and text-based patriotic inscriptions. The variety of designs within this range demonstrates the creative range of Northern die sinkers who competed to produce the most appealing and saleable 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 188/384b. Die pairing: obverse 188, reverse 384. 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 188/384b