Patriotic Token, dated 1863

Very rare original Civil War Patriotic Token, dated 1863. Click picture and "Detailed Description". (SOLD)

 

Original Civil War Patriotic Token. Among the best-known varieties of patriotic tokens are the so-called “Dix Tokens”. On one side is the American flag surrounded by 13 stars and the date of “1863”. Around it is “THE FLAG OF OUR UNION”. On the reverse is “DIX” in the center surrounded by “If Anybody attempts to tear it down / Shoot him on the spot”. These tokens are named for John Adams Dix (see pictures), a United States politician from New York. He served as Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Senator, and Governor of New York. He was also a distinguished Civil War General 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”).

 

 

Patriotic Civil War tokens typically displayed a patriotic slogan or image on one or both sides. Since the majority of these tokens were minted in Union states, the slogans and images were decidedly pro-Union. Early in 1862 all metallic currency was gradually withdrawn from circulation. Citizens, anticipating the possible increase in value of all metals, commenced hoarding gold, silver and even copper to such an extent that in a short time there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would supply the place of small coins. If they ordered the least expensive tokens they would receive a combination of two existing dies, usually of a patriotic nature or similar to a US cent, so began the Civil War Patriotic Token.

 

 

This rare token remains in very nice condition…many are worn so bad that they are no longer legible. Although this one is circulated, the markings are all clear. I am listing this piece with a low reserve, so take advantage to add it to your Civil War collection. Having the “1863” date, it would also fit in nicely with a Gettysburg collection. (SOLD)