(1863) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-79/351a, Indian - Crossed Cannons

Coin Details

Auction Record

$144 MS65RB 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 79, an Indian Head design modeled after James B. Longacre's federal cent, the most popular obverse family for patriotic tokens because its resemblance to official coinage helped these privately struck pieces gain public acceptance, with reverse die 351 bearing crossed cannons with a drum, flags, and liberty cap. This military vignette was a popular and visually striking reverse design. Indian Head dies ranked second in popularity among patriotic token obverses. Die sinkers imitated Longacre's federal cent design because merchants and the public already trusted that familiar image in commerce. Copper was the standard metal for patriotic tokens, chosen because cent-sized copper pieces could pass as substitute federal cents in everyday commerce. Dated 1863. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, and the introduction of fractional currency notes and new bronze two-cent pieces gradually eliminated the need for emergency tokens.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 79/351a. Die pairing: obverse 79, reverse 351. 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 79/351a