(1863) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-38/438d, Mercury-Liberty

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,880 MS64 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 38, a Mercury or Liberty head design, with reverse die 438 bearing the inscription "LIBERTY". The word LIBERTY, fundamental to American identity, reinforced the connection between private issues and official currency. Dies in this military obverse range capture the martial spirit of the Northern home front. Slogans, weapons, and military insignia dominate these designs, reflecting the public's intense focus on the progress and prosecution of the war. The copper composition ensured these tokens closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating their acceptance in daily transactions. Bearing the date 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 38/438d. Die pairing: obverse 38, reverse 438. 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 38/438d