(1863) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-283/427b, Union

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 283, a design inscribed "UNION", with reverse die 427 bearing the denomination "ONE CENT". Stating a one-cent value helped these tokens circulate alongside federal coinage. Civil War patriotic tokens were privately struck cent-sized pieces that circulated as emergency currency during 1862-1864, when wartime hoarding drained federal coinage from commerce. Over 25 million patriotic tokens were produced before Congress banned private coinage in April 1864. 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. Dated 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 283/427b. Die pairing: obverse 283, reverse 427. 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 283/427b