GP 1 - Dix Token 1863 (no MD)

[Wardster]

My grandpa was a coin collector and left my mom and uncle his collection after he died in 1991. Today, I had the opportunity to look through her half of the collection and it is unbelievable. She has a box that is probably 3 feet long by 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep that is filled to the brim with the coins he collected. There are proof set, uncirculated sets, and circulated coins dating back to the early 1800's. I took a bunch of the coins that were old/unusual and am taking the opportunity to share them with the forum in an attempt to determine what some of them are and what they may be worth.

The first coin is a Dix token that is dated 1863. What do you think?

 

[pinkysbliss]

Re: GP 1 - Dix Token 1863

Sweet, don't think I have ever seen anything like it. My dad has just given me a few coins as well, to bad he kept the one on a key ring, all though it did keep it shinny. I to will be hunting down box's in my dads house he has with coins and paper money in them. Gratz and have fun!

"TR"

 

[The Bulgarian]

Re: GP 1 - Dix Token 1863

Very unusual and interesting coin.WTG

 

[Evolution]

Re: GP 1 - Dix Token 1863

Going on E-bay right now for 9 dollars. Referred to as a patriotic token..

 

[tymcmurray]

Re: GP 1 - Dix Token 1863

Very interesting coin.

 

[jddave79]

Re: GP 1 - Dix Token 1863

Among the most well-known varieties of patriotic tokens are the so-called "Dix tokens." They are named for John Adams Dix, who served as Secretary of the Treasury in 1861. In a letter from Dix to a revenue cutter captain, Lieutenant Caldwell, he orders Caldwell to relieve another cutter captain of his command for refusing an order to transfer from New Orleans to New York. The letter ends with the following sentence: "If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." The quote found its way to a number of patriotic tokens, albeit with a slightly modified wording ("haul down" is usually replaced by "tear it down").

HH -JD in WV

 

[Wardster]

28-Jan-55 Newspaper Article

Found this in the envelope with the coin.