(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-34/277a, Our Card

Coin Details

Auction Record

$120 MS65RB 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 34, a plain utility die used for "Our Card" token combinations, with reverse die 277 bearing the inscription "OUR CARD". A self-referential legend treating the token as a calling card. Dies in this military obverse range capture the martial spirit of the Northern home front. Slogans, weapons, and military insignia dominate these designs, reflecting the public's intense focus on the progress and prosecution of the war. 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 34/277a. Die pairing: obverse 34, reverse 277. 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 34/277a