Collection Highlights
Flags on 57th Street, Winter of 1918
1918
1984.68
Oil on canvas
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Civil War token
Object name
Civil War token
Date
ca. 1863
Medium
Copper
Dimensions
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description
Token; copper; depiction of a full length monk on obverse; reverse "CHES PFAFF, RESTAURANT / 647 / BROADWAY, N.Y."
Object Number
Z.3013
Gallery Label
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.
