(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-256/433a, Horrors of War

Coin Details

Auction Record

$552 MS65BN 11-20-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 256, a "HORRORS OF WAR" design depicting the grim realities of the conflict, with reverse die 433 bearing the dramatic inscription "HORRORS OF WAR". This unflinching design acknowledged the enormous human cost of the conflict. 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. Copper was the standard metal for patriotic tokens, chosen because cent-sized copper pieces could pass as substitute federal cents in everyday commerce. Dated 1863. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, and the introduction of fractional currency notes and new bronze two-cent pieces gradually eliminated the need for emergency tokens.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 256/433a. Die pairing: obverse 256, reverse 433. 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 256/433a