(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-176/271j, First in War, First in Peace

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 176, a design featuring George Washington or the inscription "FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN THE HEARTS OF HIS COUNTRYMEN," Henry Lee's famous eulogy adapted as a Union loyalty slogan, with reverse die 271 bearing a design featuring "No Slavery". Shield and cannon obverses in this die range drew on heraldic and military imagery to express Union loyalty. These designs were popular because their bold, simple motifs reproduced well on the small cent-sized planchet format. This copper striking represents the standard composition for patriotic tokens. Die sinkers chose copper because its properties — malleability, durability, and cent-like appearance — made it ideal for mass-produced emergency currency. Bearing the date 1863. The Fuld catalog documents over 10,000 distinct die combinations for patriotic tokens, making this one of the most complex series in all of American numismatics. Many die pairings are known from only a handful of surviving specimens.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 176/271j. Die pairing: obverse 176, reverse 271. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens. 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 176/271j