(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-97/389d, Millions for Contractors

Coin Details

Auction Record

$432 MS64 05-29-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 97, a design inscribed "MILLIONS FOR CONTRACTORS," a sardonic commentary on wartime profiteering, with reverse die 389 bearing the inscription "MILLIONS FOR CONTRACTORS," a sardonic commentary on wartime profiteering. As the second-largest obverse die family, Indian Head designs exploited the public's familiarity with the federal cent. The closer a token resembled genuine federal coinage, the more readily it circulated as emergency currency. Struck in copper-nickel, an uncommon composition for Civil War tokens. The heavier copper-nickel alloy gave these pieces a silvery appearance and greater heft than standard copper issues. Bearing the date 1863. Patriotic tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many tokens show heavy wear consistent with extended use in commerce.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 97/389d. Die pairing: obverse 97, reverse 389. Copper-nickel is an uncommon composition for Civil War tokens. 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 97/389d