(1863) White Metal Civil War Patriotic Token F-386/427e, Good For One Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,170 MS66 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 386, a design inscribed "GOOD FOR ONE CENT", with reverse die 427 bearing the denomination "ONE CENT". Stating a one-cent value helped these tokens circulate alongside federal coinage. Patriotic tokens filled the currency vacuum created when Americans hoarded federal coins after the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. Die sinkers and token manufacturers stepped in to supply the cent-sized pieces that commerce demanded. The white metal composition gives this token a silvery appearance that contrasts with the more common copper issues. White metal is softer than copper, so surviving examples often show greater wear or softer strike details. Bearing the date 1863. New York City produced over half of all Civil War patriotic tokens, with additional output from Waterbury, Connecticut (center of the brass industry) and Cincinnati, Ohio (home of John Stanton and other prolific die sinkers).

Rarity Notes

Fuld 386/427e. Die pairing: obverse 386, reverse 427. White metal (lead/tin alloy) strikes are scarcer than copper. 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 386/427e