(No Date) Copper-Nickel Civil War Patriotic Token F-134/472d, Redeemed

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 134, a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln — tokens bearing his likeness are among the most sought-after Civil War patriotic issues, with reverse die 472 bearing the inscription "REDEEMED". Abraham Lincoln's portrait on patriotic tokens transformed everyday commerce into a political statement. These dies are among the scarcest and most valuable in the entire patriotic token series. The copper-nickel composition — the same alloy used for federal Indian Head cents from 1857 to 1864 — makes this a particularly faithful imitation of official government coinage. This undated token was struck during the Civil War coin shortage era of 1862-1864, when most patriotic token production occurred. The end of the token era came swiftly in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of a brief but remarkable chapter in American monetary history.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 134/472d. Die pairing: obverse 134, reverse 472. Copper-nickel is an uncommon composition for Civil War tokens. 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 134/472d