(1864) Civil War Patriotic Token F-126/295d, Freedom

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 MS61 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 126, a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln — tokens bearing his likeness are among the most sought-after Civil War patriotic issues, with reverse die 295 bearing the inscription "FREEDOM". An aspirational reverse linking the Union cause to the broader principle of human liberty. Abraham Lincoln obverse dies are among the most valuable and sought-after in the Civil War patriotic token series. Lincoln tokens command significant premiums, as they combine political, historical, and numismatic significance in a single collectible piece. The copper-nickel composition — the same alloy used for federal Indian Head cents from 1857 to 1864 — makes this a particularly faithful imitation of official government coinage. Dated 1864. The end of the token era came swiftly in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of a brief but remarkable chapter in American monetary history.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 126/295d. Die pairing: obverse 126, reverse 295. Copper-nickel is an uncommon composition for Civil War tokens. 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 126/295d