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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Civil War Token question.

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Expert: - 2/28/2010


Question
I purchased a token for my husband, (a Civil War  enthusiest & hard to buy for man) at a coin shop in Big Bear Ca. about 10 years ago. The Markings that Mike placed on the paper reads.

1863 AU/XF 1003OBV/ 238REV Monitor R-8

Mike, the store owner, was excited that he had one of these, and assured me that in all his years of coin collecting and selling, he had NEVER had one of these, nor did he believe he'd ever get one again. Probably true, as I heard he passed away about 4 years back. :(

Can you tell me about the token, and possibly tell me a 2010 value? I paid pretty good money for it, and wonder if the value has decreased much with the recession. Thanks!

Answer

Civil War Token
Hi Kay:

Thanks for asking me your question.

I've spent two hours searching the web for an answer to no avail. I initially was unable to find the die combination you state for the Monitor Civil War Token. I've since reviewed several books I have and found the token you speak of. What you call Obv. die 1003 is designated as die 9 in the Patriotic Token Books. Your token is designated a 9/238a, and is struck in copper with an R-8 rarity (5-10 quantity).

I was not able to find any sales or current listings of your token. I did find an AU Monitor token (different die combination) that sold on eBay in December for $42.00. It had a 1863 date in the center of a wreath with an anchor at the top on the reverse. There was also an 1864 Monitor token, date on front, with UNION in wreath on reverse in UNC condition that sold for $150 in February of this year.

I'm going to provide several links for you to do some follow-on review and/or contact.

Basic information: http://www.mernick.org.uk/lnc/DPowell/civilwartokens.htm

Die combinations for Monitor Tokens: http://www.lotn.org/~calkinsc/coins/000306.html

Patriotic Die (227-239) Photos: http://cwt.michigano.org/Civil_War_Patriotic_Token_Die_List_17.htm

Civil War Token Society: http://www.cwtsociety.com/

My 2002 reference book shows your token to be worth a retail value of approximately $325 in EF condition to $700 in UNC. My guess is that an AU would be in the $500 range. I have nothing more current. I do not feel that the poor economy would affect the value of the rarer tokens like yours. Hope this helps to answer your questions.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you for the clairification to the writings left for me on my token, and all the time you spent trying to figure it out too. That was the reason I too was unable to find out ~anything~ about it. I will immediately make note of the proper numbers for future reference. I contacted the Civil War Token Society as you suggested and they promptly replied,& related similar information, however believed the value of the coin was MUCH higher than your initial estimates. No matter, as, I hold it in my hand, (as I do my 1775 Colonial Dollar) I get an overwhelming feeling of great awe, pride and reflection that one can not feel by peering through it in a museum case. Not because ~I~ own it, but for what it historically signifies! Happy hunting & thanks again!


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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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