(1864) White Metal Civil War Patriotic Token F-46/339e, Liberty-Shield

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 46, a military or patriotic-themed obverse design, with reverse die 339 bearing a Union shield. The shield motif symbolized the defense of the republic. Dies in this military obverse range capture the martial spirit of the Northern home front. Slogans, weapons, and military insignia dominate these designs, reflecting the public's intense focus on the progress and prosecution of the war. Struck in white metal (a lead-tin alloy), producing a silvery appearance. White metal tokens are scarcer than copper and often show softer details due to the alloy's lower hardness. 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 46/339e. Die pairing: obverse 46, reverse 339. White metal (lead/tin alloy) strikes are scarcer 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 46/339e