(1863) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-478/480a, Hope

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 478, an allegorical figure of Hope depicted as a woman with an anchor, a neoclassical motif on English-made dies dated 1844 but used during the Civil War era, with reverse die 480 bearing a design inscribed "EUREKA". The Hope series uses English-made dies depicting allegorical figures including Hope with an anchor, genre scenes with animals, and the inscription "WAR OF 1861." These dies were manufactured in England and imported for use on Civil War-era tokens, giving them a distinctive artistic character. 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 478/480a. Die pairing: obverse 478, reverse 480. 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 478/480a