(1863) Lead Civil War Patriotic Token F-187/476g, Time Is Money

Coin Details

Auction Record

$132 VF Details 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 187, a design inscribed "TIME IS MONEY," Benjamin Franklin's maxim from Poor Richard's Almanack, with reverse die 476 bearing a design featuring "Time Is Money". This die group encompasses shield designs, cannon motifs, and text-based patriotic inscriptions. The variety of designs within this range demonstrates the creative range of Northern die sinkers who competed to produce the most appealing and saleable token designs. Struck in lead, a scarce composition usually associated with trial strikes or presentation pieces. The soft metal preserves sharp die details but is easily damaged. Dated 1863. Patriotic tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many tokens show heavy wear consistent with extended use in commerce.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 187/476g. Die pairing: obverse 187, reverse 476. Lead strikes are scarce and often experimental or trial pieces. 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 187/476g