Civil War Token - Crossed Cannons of the Union Army!

[UnderMiner]

Hit an old site today and found what I at first thought was a toasted Indian cent. Saw the date was 1863 and thought this made no sense as it was way too thin to be an 1863 cent and it appeared to be copper instead of bronze. Turned it over and there were two crossed cannons instead of the 'One Cent', that's when I knew I had something special!



My research indicates this coin is a patriotic civil war token from 1863. The word "Union" is clearly visible on one of the cannons. These tokens were apparently minted by private individuals during the war because real coins became very scarce due to hoarding and the Union and Confederacy both needing physical money to finance the war. Long story short the Union didn't like people making these tokens as they were technically not legal tender so on April 22nd 1864 Congress passed a law making the minting of war tokens illegal and then banned the private minting of all coins entirely on June 8th. This coin is 153 years old and was used during the Civil War by soldiers and civilians alike to help pay for necessities, though so much time has passed since then many artifacts still remain to remind us that it was not actually that long ago at all.

As it should look:

 

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[Kurios1]

Now that is a way cool piece of our American Heritage right there. Congrats on the CW token find.

 

[vpnavy]

..: FANTASTIC FIND UnderMiner :..
Thanks for sharing!​

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on a great old piece of history

 

[Loco-Digger]

Congrats on that awesome find UM. There were 2 types, Patriotic and Store Cards. I've dug a store card token, still looking for my 1st Patriotic token.

https://www.facebook.com/WarBetweenTheStatesCollectorsPage/photos/a.385309951492652.92862.385294238160890/909563182400657/?type=3&theater

 

[pepperj]

Very cool recovery of the token, not many ever posted up that I recall.

 

[scruggs]

A spectacular find you made!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Now that's a very nice token find.

 

[worldtalker]

I scored one when I first started MDin.





GOD Bless

Chris

 

[Mzjavert]

That is one interesting find.

 

[highnam]

Thanks for the research, what a cool piece of history

 

[fishstick]

Luv CW tokens, I've only found one myself and they are special finds indeed!!!!! CONGRATZ....

 

[jewelerguy]

very cool

 

[dansalata]

had a bunch of those till somebody stole em...great find!!!

 

[UnderMiner]

Congrats on that awesome find UM. There were 2 types, Patriotic and Store Cards. I've dug a store card token, still looking for my 1st Patriotic token.

https://www.facebook.com/WarBetweenTheStatesCollectorsPage/photos/a.385309951492652.92862.385294238160890/909563182400657/?type=3&theater

I have also heard of another type of Civil War token called a 'Sutler' token. Sutler tokens were like store cards but the big difference was they were issued by traveling Sutlers - civilian men who would follow regiments and sell the soldiers supplies from the back of their carts. The Sutler would issue tokens with the number of the particular regiment he followed and only soldiers from that camp were allowed to use them to purchase things from his cart. Very interesting history behind all Civil War tokens.

 

[RestoringYourFinds]

Very cool. First time I'm seeing one.

 

[port ewen ace]

value about $10, sold identical- not dug- in better condition on 3/17 for $13

any CW token is

 

[romeo-1]

Now that is very cool!

 

[sutphin]

UNDERMINE MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY, THATS A NICE FIND

 

[MetalArchSC]

That's an awesome find.