Civil War Token (5 Union Types) – 1861 to 1865 – United States Clearance Order

Please note: These coins come from many unofficial sources using slightly different die designs. As a result, the designs may vary slightly from the photos. For store cards, you will receive a random coin made to promote a business during the Civil War.

 Civil War tokens were unofficial, privately minted coins that were distributed within the US between 1861 and 1864. The panic of the Civil War had caused many Americans to begin hoarding coins, making it very difficult for businesses to operate. As a result, these businesses began producing a vast number of unofficial tokens—over 25,000,000 of them in total! These coins were usually made from a copper alloy, and are about the size of a modern U.S. penny.

The two most common types of Civil War tokens are patriotic tokens and store cards, both of which are available here.

Patriotic tokens circulated primarily in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States. These tokens were typically pro-Union, and featured patriotic imagery with slogans like “The Union Must and Shall Be Preserved,” “Union For Ever,” and “Old Glory.” 

Store cards were made by private businesses to advertise their services, and these coins were often meant to be redeemed at the specific business itself. Examples include grocery stores, dry good stores, fruit dealers, lamp and kerosene shops, liquor stores, and even war claim agents who helped get pensions or back pay for veterans.

As seen in the photos, these coins are in good condition. You will receive the type of your choice, though the designs may vary and store cards will be entirely random.