1863 Token F-119/199j GW-638 German Silver Washington-Shield & Ribbon

Coin Details

Auction Record

$960 MS66 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1863 Civil War patriotic token F-119/199j (GW-638) in German silver is a rare metallic variant of the Washington-shield and ribbon-eagle die combination. German silver gives this token a distinctive silvery appearance quite different from the warm tones of copper or brass strikings. The "j" Fuld suffix indicates one of the scarcer compositions in Civil War token production. The Washington-shield obverse (die 119) is particularly well suited to the bright surface of German silver, as the heraldic detail reads clearly against the light-colored metal. The combination of Washington's portrait with Union shield imagery on a German silver planchet creates a visually striking piece. German silver Civil War tokens represent a premium tier of collecting. The alloy's hardness means surviving examples tend to retain sharper detail than soft white metal versions, while its unusual appearance gives it immediate visual distinction.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 119/199j in German silver. Rare composition.

Cross References

Fuld 119/199j; Musante-Baker GW-638; PCGS #794785