(1863) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-167/318a, Union Shield

Coin Details

Auction Record

$576 MS64BN 06-09-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 167, a Union shield design symbolizing the defense of the republic, with reverse die 318 bearing a design featuring "Union Shield". This die group encompasses shield designs, cannon motifs, and text-based patriotic inscriptions. The variety of designs within this range demonstrates the creative range of Northern die sinkers who competed to produce the most appealing and saleable token designs. Produced in copper, the workhorse metal of Civil War token production. The cent-sized format and familiar copper color allowed these pieces to circulate alongside genuine federal coinage without hesitation. Dated 1863. Collectors classify these tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique obverse and reverse die combination. Rarity ratings range from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

Rarity Notes

Fuld 167/318a. Die pairing: obverse 167, reverse 318. 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 167/318a