(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-236/426a, Liberty-Union
Strike Type
Coin Details
Auction Record
$100 MS64RB 04-26-2022 Stack's Bowers
Description
Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 236, a "LIBERTY-UNION" design combining freedom and national unity themes, with reverse die 426 bearing a "LIBERTY-UNION" design. This die range includes naval subjects, constitutional themes, Masonic imagery, and commercial designs. The diversity reflects the wide range of interests and loyalties expressed through the Civil War token medium, from military patriotism to fraternal and commercial concerns. The copper composition ensured these tokens closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating their acceptance in daily transactions. 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 236/426a. Die pairing: obverse 236, reverse 426. 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 236/426a
External References
Error Varieties
No listings found
This category doesn't have any child listings yet.