(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-240/341e, Monitor

Coin Details

Auction Record

$80 UNC Details 08-22-2018 Stack's Bowers

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 341 bearing the legend "UNION FOR EVER". One of the most defiant slogans of the Northern cause, declaring an unshakable commitment to preserving the republic. The USS Monitor obverse commemorated the naval engagement at Hampton Roads that changed maritime warfare forever. The ironclad's unprecedented revolving turret design made it one of the most iconic military subjects depicted on Civil War tokens. 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. Bearing the date 1863.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 240/341e. Die pairing: obverse 240, reverse 341. 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 240/341e