(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-4/354g, Not One Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$192 XF Details 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 4, a French-style Liberty head facing left surrounded by thirteen stars, the most common obverse die family on Civil War patriotic tokens, with reverse die 354 bearing the provocative legend "NOT ONE CENT" within a wreath. This seemingly contradictory inscription acknowledged the token had no legal-tender status while it simultaneously served as a cent substitute in everyday commerce. The French Liberty head was the most prolific obverse die family, with nearly thirty die varieties. These dies were cut by multiple manufacturers, primarily in New York City, and their classical design gave the tokens a dignified appearance that encouraged public acceptance. Struck in lead, a scarce composition usually associated with trial strikes or presentation pieces. The soft metal preserves sharp die details but is easily damaged. Dated 1863. The end of the token era came swiftly in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of a brief but remarkable chapter in American monetary history.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 4/354g. Die pairing: obverse 4, reverse 354. Lead strikes are scarce and often experimental or trial pieces. 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 4/354g