(No Date) Civil War Patriotic Token F-257/311a, Man Standing at Dockside

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 257, an allegorical, Masonic, or commerce-themed design, with reverse die 311 bearing the inscription "ARMY & NAVY" within a laurel wreath, often with crossed sabers. This tribute to the Union military was one of the most popular reverse legends, appearing on dozens of die combinations. This die range includes naval subjects, constitutional themes, Masonic imagery, and commercial designs. The diversity reflects the wide range of interests and loyalties expressed through the Civil War token medium, from military patriotism to fraternal and commercial concerns. Copper was the standard metal for patriotic tokens, chosen because cent-sized copper pieces could pass as substitute federal cents in everyday commerce. This undated token was struck during the Civil War coin shortage era of 1862-1864, when most patriotic token production occurred.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 257/311a. Die pairing: obverse 257, reverse 311. 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 257/311a