(1863) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-171/428a, Peacemaker-C.L.R.

Coin Details

Auction Record

$900 AU55 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 171, a "PEACEMAKER" cannon design — the Peacemaker was a famous naval gun aboard the USS Princeton, with reverse die 428 bearing a design featuring "C.L.R.". 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. The copper composition ensured these tokens closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating their acceptance in daily transactions. Dated 1863. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans began hoarding federal coins following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861, creating the currency vacuum that patriotic tokens filled.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 171/428a. Die pairing: obverse 171, reverse 428. 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 171/428a