Show Us Your Civil War And Store Card Tokens!

Welcome to the CCF, Frostbite.

Although not listed as Civil War tokens, the two you posted are among my favorite pieces of that era; also, far scarcer than the majority of CWT's. There's some very interesting history to each of them; both the unbearded Lincoln and the extra-long bearded Grant. Looks like both of your pieces saw period use. You might also post the reverses, if possible.

It's long been my contention that Civil War era pieces like these should be included in the books. There seems to be a tendency for those in the know to exclude pieces that fall outside their exacting criteria. Yet, there are 1860-dated tokens that remain listed. IMHO, the Civil War token series should be widened and broken down into sub-categories. Rather than go into a dissertation on this, I'll only say that I have greatly enjoyed forming my own Civil War collection - not one by-the-book.

Hey guys ... Many of the so-called Civil War tokens are also listed by DeWitt-Sullivan as campaign pieces. Then too, many of the listed CWT's come holed as well. IMHO, by eliminating tokens/medalets like these from the Civil War series at large, we're splitting hairs and denying their historic significance. Solely my take ...

General Grant much more closely trimmed his beard, following his Vicksburg victory. Apparently, these medalets/tokens were struck to commemorate the victory. While I seem to have read somewhere that there may have been post-war restrikes, it does strike me as odd that there are few, if any, high-grade specimens existent? IMHO, it certainly does appear as such that this medalet/token fits snugly into the Civil War era. I've yet to see an uncirculated one. The handful I've seen all appear to be VF-XF and worn as such. Then too, I've yet to see another CW-period Grant token that illustrates this long beard.

Whereas Lincoln grew a beard, thanks to the observation of a little girl in Westfield, NY, Grant trimmed his. I've long wondered why Grant did this, but that long beard sure made him look ancient.

Wow, Mackwork ... I'd have bought that one, had I seen it! I doubt that restrikes. if any do exist, would have been holed, as these tend to be. I've been an active participant in exonumia auctions since the mid-1980's, and this Unc specimen is the first I've seen.

Well, my most recent CWT purchase arrived today, and I am sure happy w/ this one. The sellers auction pictures are fantastic, but still don't do the token justice in-hand.
What a beauty! I'm thinking possible MS-65 when graded...

Bill, I also have a co-worker who lived in Meadville as a child. Small world!

I like

Brandon, simply awesome! I especially like the Brimlow. That toning is the BOMB