(продана за $21.0)

1863, United States, New York. Copper Knickerbocker Currency I.O.U. 1 Cent Coin.

Condition: VF
Region: New York
Mint year: ca. 1863
References: Fuld 255/390.
Issuer: William H. Bridgens
Denomination: 1 Cent - Civil War Token - Knickerbocker Curreny / I.O.U. 1 CENT
Material: Copper
Diameter: 20mm
Weight: 3.18gm

Obverse: Large value numeral (1) within illuminated circle, flanked by two washington-like heads left.
Legend: I - O - U - (PURE 1 COPPER) - CENT -

Reverse: Figure with a walking stick left.
Legend: KNICKERBOCKER CURRENCY

William H. Bridgens was one of the most accomplished die cutters and Civil War token issuers, and today his products are widely admired and collected.

Civil War tokens are token coins that were privately minted and distributed in the United States between 1862 and 1864. They were used mainly in the Northeast and Midwest. The widespread use of the tokens was a result of the scarcity of government-issued cents during the Civil War.

Civil War tokens became illegal after the United States Congress passed a law on April 22, 1864 prohibiting the issue of any one or two-cent coins, tokens or devices for use as currency. On June 8, 1864 an additional law was passed that forbade all private coinage.

Civil War tokens are divided into three types—store cards, patriotic tokens, and sutler tokens. All three types were utilized as currency, and are differentiated by their designs. The collectible value of the tokens is determined chiefly by their rarity.