Please Post Your Eagles On 19th Century US Tokens

Here's a stately eagle, apparently at peace with wings spread. It looks to me like he's thinking, "We're cool, but don't mess with me."

This token, dated 1863, celebrates Grant's victory at Vicksburg that summer. Although this token/medalet is generally thought to be a post Civil War piece, but there's no evidence apparent which I could find to support this. I think it should be listed as a Civil War token. Note the length of Grant's beard. By 1864, and to the time of his demise, Grant kept his beard much closer trimmed. Also, had this piece been produced following the war, I suspect that the facial image of Grant would more closely resemble him.

There are a great many Civil War tokens that utilize eagles. Here's a spread-winged eagle on an 1864 Lincoln token, Fuld # 128/289. The eagle looks ready to take to the air. I've long thought that this Lincoln image was too whimsical and didn't look much like him.

Here's an eagle on a so-called "Indiana Primitive" Civil War token, Fuld # 155/431, a patriotic. Note the broken shield and the missing ends of the arrows that should be extending from the eagle's talons. Misalignment of the letters and die cutting errors add to the curious nature of this issue.

Here's a Union eagle atop a cannon. This patriotic Civil War token, bearing scarce dies (Fuld # 160/417), has long been among my favorites in the series. The die sinkers were Mossin & Marr of Wisconsin. I've long wondered if "Old Abe," mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Regiment, might have been the inspiration for the obverse die .... see below ....







Below is a CDV or carte de visit souvenir from the Sanitary Fair held in Chicago in 1865. These fairs were held to raise money to aid war veterans. These cards were sold for 15 cents - see reverse legend.

Very nice!