(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-6/268a, Union for Ever

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 6, 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 268 bearing the legend "UNION FOR EVER". One of the most defiant slogans of the Northern cause, declaring an unshakable commitment to preserving the republic. 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. Copper was overwhelmingly preferred for patriotic token production because it replicated the look, feel, and weight of federal Indian Head cents. Merchants rarely questioned copper tokens placed alongside genuine cents in the cash drawer. Dated 1863. Die sinkers produced patriotic tokens on hand-operated screw presses capable of striking several hundred pieces per hour. The largest manufacturers maintained multiple presses and employed teams of workers to meet the enormous wartime demand.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 6/268a. Die pairing: obverse 6, reverse 268. 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 6/268a