(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Patriotic Token F-120/256d, The Washington Token

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 120, a George Washington portrait paired with the dramatic "HORRORS OF WAR" theme, with reverse die 256 bearing the dramatic inscription "HORRORS OF WAR". This unflinching design acknowledged the enormous human cost of the conflict. George Washington obverse dies invoked the founding ideals of the republic, framing the Civil War as a continuation of the Revolution. Washington's image on tokens drew a direct line from 1776 to the struggle to preserve the Union his generation created. 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. 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 120/256d. Die pairing: obverse 120, reverse 256. 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 120/256d