Museum Collections
Luce Center
Civil War tokens (4)
Object Number:
Z.3117a-d
Date:
ca. 1860
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Diameter: 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)
Description:
Tokens; metal; (a) depiction of thistle on obverse; obverse "UNITED WE STAND / DIVIDED WE FALL" reverse "JAMES B. CHILDS / CLOTHING / HATS, CAPS / TRUNKS / WOOSTER OHIO"; (b) depiction of garland on obverse; obverse "UNION / FLOUR" reverse "REDEFMED / BY / D.L. WING & CO. / ALBANY NY"; (c) depiction of tulips and garland on obverse; obverse " BUSINESS / CARDS" reverse "BARKER & ILLSLEY / HARDWARE / NAILS / & / STOVES / 277 STATE ST / CHICAGO"; (d) obverse "REDEEMED / AT / 26 / MULBERRY ST. / ALBANY N.Y." reverse "JOS MC BURNEY / CIGAR BOX MANFUF'R / 26 / MULBERRY ST / ALBANY N.Y."
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.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.