(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-120/434e, The Washington Token

Coin Details

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 434 bearing a design featuring "For Public Accommodation". By placing George Washington's portrait on patriotic tokens, die sinkers appealed to the deepest roots of American identity. The message was unmistakable: preserving the Union honored the sacrifice of the Revolutionary generation. The white metal composition gives this token a silvery appearance that contrasts with the more common copper issues. White metal is softer than copper, so surviving examples often show greater wear or softer strike details. Produced in 1863. The end of the token era came swiftly in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of a brief but remarkable chapter in American monetary history.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 120/434e. Die pairing: obverse 120, reverse 434. White metal (lead/tin alloy) strikes are scarcer 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 120/434e