Civil War Patriotic Token Value Guide

Struck in 1863 during a severe national coinage shortage, this copper Patriotic Token served as a private substitute for the Indian Head cent. It is a significant piece of numismatic history, representing the Union's resolve through its bold political slogan and wartime utility.

What Is Civil War Patriotic Token Worth?

The typical price range for Civil War Patriotic Token is $45 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Numerical grade and surface preservation, with higher prices for tokens showing original mint luster.
• The presence of any corrosion, 'verdigris', or environmental damage common to ground-find copper.
• Rarity of the specific die combination used during the 1863 minting process.
• Overall strike quality and the legibility of the patriotic slogan's lettering.

How to Identify Civil War Patriotic Token?

• Verify the specific 1863 date and the 'The Federal Union It Must and Shall Be Preserved' inscription on the reverse.
• Check for a diameter of approximately 19mm, consistent with the size of a contemporary small cent.
• Examine the material for authentic aged copper patina rather than modern plating.
• Look for common die varieties associated with the Fuld classification system for Civil War tokens.

History of Civil War Patriotic Token

During the American Civil War, a shortage of government-issued coinage led private businesses to mint their own copper tokens to facilitate trade. Patriotic tokens like this one were issued between 1861 and 1864, often featuring pro-Union sentiments or military imagery. They were eventually banned by the Coinage Act of 1864.