Expert: PAPAJACK - 6/5/2008

Question
My friend found a coin in the garden of her parendts Wisconsin home.  A coinwas found several years ago - 1868 five cent piece.  The dirt came from an old church demoliton site near by.  This coin appears to be copper almost the same size as a current penny ( a little bigger). One side has an eagle with wings spread perched on a cannon, with the words LIBERTY FOR ALL and the date at the bottom 1864.  The other side has a ring of leaves, the word AMERICA centered with an arch of stars over and under with two additional stars under the word.  Do you have an ideas on what this coin may be?

Answer
Hello Susan,                             

Copper pieces are not my specialty. But from your description it may be a Civil War Token piece. It would have to be seen by an expert.
To be called a coin it needs, mottoes, a denomination and a country of origin on it. To be valued you need to know its rarity and condition.

A Civil War Tokens were needed for everyday commerce. They usually sell from $8 to $12 dollars depending on the issue. Some were made in quantity since there was hoarding of all copper, silver and gold coins during the civil war.

I collect only US Coins 1793 to present. You should try to take your piece to a coin show or shop.

If you better describe it I will continue looking for some information on your piece and when I find it will post it at this site.

If you need more information for a coin shop near you feel free to write me again.

I hope this information helps. Please remember to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Good Luck

PapaJack