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

Coin Details

Auction Record

$228 AU58BN 06-23-2020 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. This copper striking represents the standard composition for patriotic tokens. Die sinkers chose copper because its properties — malleability, durability, and cent-like appearance — made it ideal for mass-produced emergency currency. Dated 1864. The Fuld catalog documents over 10,000 distinct die combinations for patriotic tokens, making this one of the most complex series in all of American numismatics. Many die pairings are known from only a handful of surviving specimens.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 126/295a. Die pairing: obverse 126, reverse 295. 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 126/295a