(No Date) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-238/405a, Our Little Monitor

Coin Details

Auction Record

$266 MS62BN 06-11-2024 eBay

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 238, the USS Monitor, the Union's revolutionary iron-turreted warship whose battle with the CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862 was the first clash of ironclads and captured the Northern public's imagination — the Monitor became one of the most popular subjects on patriotic tokens, with reverse die 405 bearing the inscription "THE CONSTITUTION". Constitutional references underscored the legal basis for opposing secession. The USS Monitor obverse commemorated the naval engagement at Hampton Roads that changed maritime warfare forever. The ironclad's unprecedented revolving turret design made it one of the most iconic military subjects depicted on Civil War tokens. 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. This undated piece was produced circa 1862-1864, during the wartime coin shortage.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 238/405a. Die pairing: obverse 238, reverse 405. 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 238/405a