Collection Highlights
Empire State Building, N.Y.C.
1940
1940.978
Oil on canvas
Support the New-York Historical Society
Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.
Museum Collections
Luce Center
Civil War token
Object name
Civil War token
Date
1863
Medium
Metal
Dimensions
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description
Token; metal; depiction of Lady Liberty wearing a feather headdress on obverse; ring of garland on reverse; obverse "UNITED / WE STAND" reverse "BROAS BROS / ARMY / AND / NAVY / NEW YORK"
Object Number
11.22
Gallery Label
James J. Broas is listed in the 1863 New York City directory as a pie baker. During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
