(1864) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-128/290b, Lincoln and Union

Coin Details

Auction Record

$204 AU58 06-23-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 128, a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln — tokens bearing his likeness are among the most sought-after Civil War patriotic issues, with reverse die 290 bearing a portrait or inscription referencing President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln tokens are among the most sought-after Civil War patriotic issues. Lincoln obverse dies are prized by collectors for their direct connection to the wartime president. These tokens served both as emergency currency and as portable political endorsements of the Union cause and its leader. Struck in brass, a less common composition that gave the token a distinctive golden color distinguishing it from the copper standard. Bearing the date 1864. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, and the introduction of fractional currency notes and new bronze two-cent pieces gradually eliminated the need for emergency tokens.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 128/290b. Die pairing: obverse 128, reverse 290. Brass strikes are less common 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 128/290b