(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-243/380a, Erinnerung

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 243, a design inscribed "CONSTITUTION" or the German word "ERINNERUNG" (Remembrance), reflecting the large German-American community's support for the Union, with reverse die 380 bearing the inscription "ERINNERUNG" (German for "Remembrance"). German-language inscriptions reflected the large German-American community that supported the Union. Dies in this range encompass naval scenes, constitutional inscriptions, and fraternal symbols. The variety demonstrates that Civil War tokens served not only as emergency currency but also as miniature propaganda platforms for causes ranging from Union patriotism to fraternal solidarity. Produced in copper, the workhorse metal of Civil War token production. The cent-sized format and familiar copper color allowed these pieces to circulate alongside genuine federal coinage without hesitation. Dated 1863.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 243/380a. Die pairing: obverse 243, reverse 380. 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 243/380a