(1863) White Metal Civil War Patriotic Token F-91/432e, No Compromise With Traitors

Coin Details

Auction Record

$336 MS64 03-31-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 91, an Indian Head design commonly paired with "NO COMPROMISE WITH TRAITORS" and "ARMY & NAVY" reverses, with reverse die 432 bearing the uncompromising inscription "NO COMPROMISE WITH TRAITORS". This hardline slogan rejected any negotiated settlement with the Confederacy. The Indian Head obverse family capitalized on the recognizable federal cent design. These were among the most commercially successful patriotic tokens because their similarity to government-issued cents made them virtually indistinguishable in pocket change. Struck in white metal (a lead-tin alloy), producing a silvery appearance. White metal tokens are scarcer than copper and often show softer details due to the alloy's lower hardness. Produced in 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 91/432e. Die pairing: obverse 91, reverse 432. 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 91/432e