(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Patriotic Token F-1/229d, Our Country

Coin Details

Auction Record

$312 SP64 05-29-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 1, a French-style Liberty head facing left surrounded by thirteen stars, the most common obverse die family on Civil War patriotic tokens, with reverse die 229 bearing the inscription "OUR COUNTRY". A powerful assertion of national identity and collective ownership of the republic. The French Liberty head was the most prolific obverse die family, with nearly thirty die varieties. These dies were cut by multiple manufacturers, primarily in New York City, and their classical design gave the tokens a dignified appearance that encouraged public acceptance. Struck in copper-nickel, an uncommon composition for Civil War tokens. The heavier copper-nickel alloy gave these pieces a silvery appearance and greater heft than standard copper issues. Bearing the date 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 1/229d. Die pairing: obverse 1, reverse 229. Copper-nickel is an uncommon composition for Civil War tokens. 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 1/229d