(No Date) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-180/430aa, Hero of Pea Ridge

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 180, a design honoring the "HERO OF PEA RIDGE" — the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 was a decisive Union victory that secured Missouri, with reverse die 430 bearing Benjamin Franklin's maxim "A PENNY SAVED IS A PENNY EARNED". Franklin's thrift wisdom resonated during a period when actual pennies were being hoarded. Shield and cannon obverses in this die range drew on heraldic and military imagery to express Union loyalty. These designs were popular because their bold, simple motifs reproduced well on the small cent-sized planchet format. This copper striking represents the standard composition for patriotic tokens. Die sinkers chose copper because its properties — malleability, durability, and cent-like appearance — made it ideal for mass-produced emergency currency. This undated token was struck during the Civil War coin shortage era of 1862-1864, when most patriotic token production occurred.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 180/430aa. Die pairing: obverse 180, reverse 430. 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 180/430aa