(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-7A/317a, Army & Navy

Coin Details

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld 7A/317a, combining obverse die 7 — a French-style Liberty head facing left surrounded by thirteen stars — with reverse die 317 bearing the inscription "ARMY & NAVY" within a laurel wreath. This tribute to the Union military was one of the most popular reverse legends on Civil War tokens. The French Liberty obverse belongs to the largest die family in the Civil War token series. The classical design echoed contemporary French coins and medals. The copper composition ensured this token closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating acceptance in daily transactions. Location Unknown tokens like this one feature dies with patriotic or political designs but no merchant or geographic identification, suggesting speculative production by die sinkers. Dated 1863, the peak year of Civil War token production when the coin shortage was most acute.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 1 cataloged varieties, Army & Navy was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 7A/317a