(1863) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-239/421a, Our Little Monitor

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 239, the USS Monitor, the Union's revolutionary iron-turreted warship whose battle with the CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862 was the first clash of ironclads and captured the Northern public's imagination — the Monitor became one of the most popular subjects on patriotic tokens, with reverse die 421 bearing the USS Monitor, the Union's revolutionary ironclad warship. The Monitor's March 1862 battle with the CSS Virginia captured the Northern imagination. USS Monitor obverse dies captured the Northern public's fascination with the revolutionary ironclad that fought the CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862. The Monitor's distinctive low profile and revolving turret made it an instantly recognizable and popular token subject. This copper striking represents the standard composition for patriotic tokens. Die sinkers chose copper because its properties — malleability, durability, and cent-like appearance — made it ideal for mass-produced emergency currency. Bearing the date 1863.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 239/421a. Die pairing: obverse 239, reverse 421. 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 239/421a