(1863) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-276/278a, Our Card

Coin Details

Auction Record

$228 MS62BN 08-22-2018 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 276, a design inscribed "OUR CARD", with reverse die 278 bearing the inscription "OUR CARD". A self-referential legend treating the token as a calling card. Patriotic tokens filled the currency vacuum created when Americans hoarded federal coins after the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. Die sinkers and token manufacturers stepped in to supply the cent-sized pieces that commerce demanded. Copper was overwhelmingly preferred for patriotic token production because it replicated the look, feel, and weight of federal Indian Head cents. Merchants rarely questioned copper tokens placed alongside genuine cents in the cash drawer. Bearing the date 1863. Die sinkers produced patriotic tokens on hand-operated screw presses capable of striking several hundred pieces per hour. The largest manufacturers maintained multiple presses and employed teams of workers to meet the enormous wartime demand.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 276/278a. Die pairing: obverse 276, reverse 278. 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 276/278a