(1864) Civil War Patriotic Token F-42/336b, Our Navy

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 42, a military or patriotic-themed obverse design, with reverse die 336 bearing the inscription "OUR NAVY" within a wreath. A salute to the Union Navy, which maintained the blockade of Southern ports that strangled Confederate commerce. This obverse belongs to a family of military-themed dies spanning slogans, weapons, and patriotic declarations. The variety of designs in this range shows how die sinkers competed to capture the wartime public's appetite for patriotic imagery. Brass tokens stand out from the copper majority with their warm golden hue. The brass industry centered in Waterbury, Connecticut provided ready access to this alloy for New England token manufacturers. Produced in 1864. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans began hoarding federal coins following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861, creating the currency vacuum that patriotic tokens filled.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 42/336b. Die pairing: obverse 42, reverse 336. 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 42/336b