(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-258/446bo

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 258, a seated goddess personifying "TRADE AND COMMERCE", with reverse die 446 bearing a seated goddess of "TRADE AND COMMERCE". This allegorical design personified the commercial activity these tokens facilitated. 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. Bearing the date 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 258/446bo. Die pairing: obverse 258, reverse 446. 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 258/446bo