(No Date) Civil War Patriotic Token F-214/416a, The Flag of Our Union

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 214, a design depicting the American flag circled by thirteen stars inscribed "THE FLAG OF OUR UNION," one of the most popular obverse die families, expressing loyalty to the national standard, with reverse die 416 bearing the inscription "OUR UNION". A personal and possessive declaration of loyalty to the Union. Depicting the national flag encircled by stars, this obverse family expressed Union patriotism in its most direct visual form. Flag dies were paired extensively with different reverses, resulting in one of the largest variety families in the series. Struck in copper, the most practical metal for tokens intended to fill the gap left by hoarded federal cents. Copper tokens survive in greater numbers than any other composition, reflecting their enormous production volumes. Undated, but produced during the wartime token era of 1862-1864 when Americans hoarded federal coins and merchants turned to privately struck substitutes.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 214/416a. Die pairing: obverse 214, reverse 416. 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 214/416a