(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Patriotic Token F-136/397do, The Union

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 136, a portrait of Andrew Jackson, whose famous 1830 toast "The Federal Union — It must and shall be preserved" was revived as a Union rallying cry, with reverse die 397 bearing the inscription "THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED". Andrew Jackson obverse dies revived the seventh president's famous 1830 anti-nullification toast, drawing a parallel between the Nullification Crisis and the secession crisis three decades later. Jackson's forceful assertion of federal supremacy resonated powerfully with Union supporters. 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. Produced in 1863. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans began hoarding federal coins following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861, creating the currency vacuum that patriotic tokens filled.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 136/397do. Die pairing: obverse 136, reverse 397. 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 136/397do