(1864) Civil War Patriotic Token F-127/428a, Lincoln-C.L.R.

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 127, a clean-shaven portrait of President Abraham Lincoln surrounded by thirteen stars, the most common Lincoln obverse die — Lincoln tokens command premiums among collectors, with reverse die 428 bearing a design featuring "C.L.R.". Abraham Lincoln's portrait on patriotic tokens transformed everyday commerce into a political statement. These dies are among the scarcest and most valuable in the entire patriotic token series. Struck in copper, the most practical metal for tokens intended to fill the gap left by hoarded federal cents. Copper tokens survive in greater numbers than any other composition, reflecting their enormous production volumes. Produced in 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 127/428a. Die pairing: obverse 127, reverse 428. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens. 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 127/428a