Collection Highlights
The Peale Family
1773-1809
1867.298
Oil on canvas
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Civil War token
Object name
Civil War token
Date
1863
Medium
Copper
Dimensions
Diameter: 19.2 mm
Description
The front shows a naval Union shield. The back carries an advertising message.
Object Number
INV.13855.25b
Marks
Die struck: Obverse: "NEW-YORK 1863"
Die struck: Reverse: "EDW.SCHAAF/14&16/DIVISION ST."
Gallery Label
Tokens called "Civil War tokens" were struck in some northern cities between 1863 and 1865 to supply small change for public transactions. To circumvent anti-counterfeiting laws, they were either not denominated or bore an evasive valuation, as here (i.e., "medal for one cent").
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
