(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-240/337a, Our Navy

Coin Details

Auction Record

$552 MS66BN 07-17-2019 Heritage Auctions

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 240, the USS Monitor, the Union's revolutionary iron-turreted warship whose battle with the CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862 was the first clash of ironclads and captured the Northern public's imagination — the Monitor became one of the most popular subjects on patriotic tokens, with reverse die 337 bearing the inscription "OUR NAVY" within a wreath. A salute to the Union Navy, which maintained the blockade of Southern ports that strangled Confederate commerce. USS Monitor obverse dies captured the Northern public's fascination with the revolutionary ironclad that fought the CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862. The Monitor's distinctive low profile and revolving turret made it an instantly recognizable and popular token subject. The copper composition ensured these tokens closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating their acceptance in daily transactions. Produced in 1863.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 240/337a. Die pairing: obverse 240, reverse 337. 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 240/337a