Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Copper coin

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Expert: - 5/2/2010


Question
Thanks for your time!!
I have a penny size coint that has Army & Navy on one side and side facing bust and date of 1863 on the other. Divided we fall and United we Stand are also on the coin. No value is printed though.
Do you know this coin?
Thanks again,
Walt

Answer
Walt,

You have what's known as a Patriotic Civil War Token.  These were privately minted and sold to merchants to use in place of the small change that was in extremely short supply during the Civil War.  They were freely traded between merchants and customers, just as if they were U.S. Mint pennies.

The one you describe is one of the morer common designs.  Depending on condition, its current value is $8 to $15

I hope this helps,

Dan

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Dan Moore

Expertise

My strong familiarity with all U.S. Mint coins, extensive reference library, and close relationships with many other dealers allows me to identify just about any coin made in the USA. I receive regular updates to all the current price guides -- both wholesale & retail -- to provide accurate values. So, with a good description or pictures, I should be able to identify and value any U.S. coin you have.

Experience

I've been a coin dealer since the 1980's and a coin collector since the 1960's. I specialize in U.S. Silver Coins and have an active online website -- The Working Man's Rare Coins -- http://www.workingmancoins.com -- offering information and inventory in U.S. coins.

Organizations I belong to :
American Numismatic Association Member #187770
Michigan State Numismatic Society Member #8255
Florida United Numismatics Member #19710
Monroe Coin Club Treasurer
Lincoln Coin Club Board Member
WINS Member #14
CoinMasters Member #1814

Frequently Asked Questions :
I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on my website, where you may be able to get an immediate answer to your question. You can find the page here :
http://www.workingmancoins.com/FAQ/index.htm


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