(No Date) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-221/327a, The Federal Union

Coin Details

Auction Record

$168 MS65 01-12-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 221, a design inscribed "THE FEDERAL UNION IT MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED," Andrew Jackson's famous toast — one of the most common patriotic token inscriptions with over ten obverse die varieties, with reverse die 327 bearing the inscription "THE FEDERAL UNION IT MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED". This famous phrase originated as Andrew Jackson's toast during the 1830 Nullification Crisis and was revived as a powerful declaration of Union supremacy. The "Federal Union" text obverse dies bore Andrew Jackson's famous toast — "The Federal Union — It must and shall be preserved." This was one of the most commonly reproduced patriotic inscriptions on Civil War tokens, appearing across more than ten distinct die varieties. The copper composition ensured these tokens closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating their acceptance in daily transactions. This undated piece was produced circa 1862-1864, during the wartime coin shortage.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 221/327a. Die pairing: obverse 221, reverse 327. 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 221/327a