(No Date) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-105/359a, Not One Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$192 AU55BN 03-31-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 105, 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 359 bearing the provocative legend "NOT ONE CENT" within a wreath. This seemingly contradictory inscription acknowledged the token had no legal-tender status while it simultaneously served as a cent substitute in everyday commerce. Washington obverse dies connected the Union cause to the nation's founding principles. The first president's portrait on Civil War tokens reminded Northerners that the republic Washington helped create was worth fighting to preserve. The copper composition ensured these tokens closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating their acceptance in daily transactions. The absence of a date is common for Civil War patriotic tokens. Production occurred primarily during 1862-1864 when federal coinage disappeared from circulation.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 105/359a. Die pairing: obverse 105, reverse 359. 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 105/359a