(1863) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-28/303b, Army & Navy

Coin Details

Auction Record

$120 MS64 10-14-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 28, 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 303 bearing the inscription "ARMY & NAVY" within a laurel wreath, often with crossed sabers. This tribute to the Union military was one of the most popular reverse legends, appearing on dozens of die combinations. The French Liberty head design was the workhorse of the patriotic token series. Die sinkers favored this classical motif because its resemblance to official currency increased merchant acceptance of privately produced cent substitutes. 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. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans began hoarding federal coins following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861, creating the currency vacuum that patriotic tokens filled.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 28/303b. Die pairing: obverse 28, reverse 303. 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 28/303b