(1864) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-127/201a, Lincoln-Our Union

Coin Details

Auction Record

$105 MS61BN 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

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 201 bearing the inscription "OUR UNION". A personal and possessive declaration of loyalty to the Union. 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 alloy used for this token matched the federal cent specification closely enough that these pieces passed freely in commerce during the coin shortage of 1862-1864. Dated 1864. Patriotic tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many tokens show heavy wear consistent with extended use in commerce.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 127/201a. Die pairing: obverse 127, reverse 201. 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 127/201a