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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/help me identify an old token please

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Expert: - 11/19/2007


Question
My wife found an old copper coin. I can't find a date, one side of the coin is pretty beat up. It is about the size and thickness of a penny, on one side it has an American flag surrounded by 12 stars and the words, "The Flag Of Our Union".On the reverse, it has a circle with the letters D(i think) I and X. Around the circle, it says, "Shoot Him On The Spot". Around those words, I can barely make out, "Attempts To Tear It Down" and another unintelligible word or two. Any ideas on what it is and worth?

Answer
You have a relatively common variety of Patriotic Civil War Token.  These were privately made by merchants to be used as pennies, due to the extreme shortage of coins during the war.

In the condition you describe, it's only worth a dollar or two.

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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