(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-7B/315a, Army & Navy

Coin Details

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld 7B/315a, combining obverse die 7 — a French-style Liberty head facing left surrounded by thirteen stars — with reverse die 315 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. This token bears no merchant identification; its dies were paired speculatively by die sinkers for sale to the general public rather than commissioned by a specific merchant. 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 7B/315a