(1864) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-131/479a, National Union League of the US

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,560 MS63RB 04-26-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 131, a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln — tokens bearing his likeness are among the most sought-after Civil War patriotic issues, with reverse die 479 bearing a design featuring "National Union League of the US". Lincoln obverse dies are prized by collectors for their direct connection to the wartime president. These tokens served both as emergency currency and as portable political endorsements of the Union cause and its leader. 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. Bearing the date 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 131/479a. Die pairing: obverse 131, reverse 479. 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 131/479a