(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-81/351a, Crossed Cannons

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 81, an Indian Head design modeled after James B. Longacre's federal cent, the most popular obverse family for patriotic tokens because its resemblance to official coinage helped these privately struck pieces gain public acceptance, with reverse die 351 bearing crossed cannons with a drum, flags, and liberty cap. This military vignette was a popular and visually striking reverse design. The Indian Head obverse family capitalized on the recognizable federal cent design. These were among the most commercially successful patriotic tokens because their similarity to government-issued cents made them virtually indistinguishable in pocket change. Struck in copper, the most practical metal for tokens intended to fill the gap left by hoarded federal cents. Copper tokens survive in greater numbers than any other composition, reflecting their enormous production volumes. Bearing the date 1863.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 81/351a. Die pairing: obverse 81, reverse 351. 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 81/351a