(1864) Silver Civil War Patriotic Token F-124/417f, Abm. Lincoln-America

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 124, a bust of George Washington, invoking the founding ideals of the republic to frame the Union cause as a continuation of the American Revolution, with reverse die 417 bearing a design featuring "America". By placing George Washington's portrait on patriotic tokens, die sinkers appealed to the deepest roots of American identity. The message was unmistakable: preserving the Union honored the sacrifice of the Revolutionary generation. Struck in silver, a rare composition reserved for special orders or presentation pieces. Silver patriotic tokens were produced in tiny quantities for collectors and dignitaries. 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 124/417f. Die pairing: obverse 124, reverse 417. Silver strikes are rare presentation or special-order pieces. 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 124/417f