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 Replies: 11 / Views: 27,871 |
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
on the on side it has the us flag surounded by 13 stars, with the date below and the words "the flag of our union". on the back it says it says in concentric circles it says "if anybody attempts to tear it down" next circle says " shoot him on the spot" then in the middle circle it says "dix" that is all the markings on the coin any info would be helpful
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
 You have one of the more historic and easily recognizable Civil War tokens. Dix would be John Adams Dix, the namesake of the army base Fort Dix in New Jersey. In January of 1861, Dix was appointed as Secretary of the Treasury by President James Buchanan(Lincoln was not inaugurated until March unlike today when it occurs in January). When Louisiana seceded, he sent a message to Treasury agents in New Orleans stating "If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." At the time, New Orleans was the home of a branch mint. The message was intercepted by Confederates but it still had the desired effect- that phrase became one of the first Union rallying cries of the Civil War and when Lincoln assumed the Presidency, he appointed Dix to the position of Major General in the Union Army. I own this token as well and it is the sole representative example of a Civil War token that I have in my collection. It is not terribly rare or expensive(I paid about $20 for mine) but it is certainly an interesting bit of history. BTW, Civil War tokens were created due to a shortage of small change for commerce. They were the same size and composition as the contemporary Indian Head cents. They were not US Mint products but they were used freely in the Union. For the most part they either had a patriotic slogan or advertised a business and the predominant date on them is 1863. Edited by biokemist6
12/10/2008 5:57 pm
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New Member
 United States
8 Posts |
thank you for the reply it clears up all my questions your help is greatly apreciated.
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Valued Member
United States
405 Posts |
There is also a an error/variety of that token that says "shoot him on the spoot"....
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1106 Posts |
Here is a photo for those who haven't seen one.   |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
I was wondering Mr.finger Do you know the value of the coin tha has the error? "Shoot him on the spoot"
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5609 Posts |
I have the same Token, or the same Obverse and a totally different Reverse, the one I have says "Army and Navy" with a set of swords and an anchor, any clues?Also 1863
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
88 Posts |
morgans dad,
There are many die pair variations of the Patriotic Civil War Token you described. The variations range from very common Rarity Level 1 to very rare (2 to 4 known) Rarity Level 9. If you wish, post good close-up photos and I will use my reference books to tell you what you have. Also, the reference xshift provided is a high quality Civil War Token site.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2520 Posts |
Quote:
There is also a an error/variety of that token that says "shoot him on the spoot".... I have a "spoot" variety. I picked it up about 20 years ago. I only have a few cwts. |
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Valued Member
United States
198 Posts |
Just wondering, does anyone have a Fuld number for that "Shoot him on the spoot" variety?  I'd like to pick one up, it's such a cool die sinker error. Could one of you gentlemen please post a picture of this one? Thanks! I think it's my personal favorite Patriotic CWT. ~ Jim |
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Valued Member
United States
88 Posts |
The FULD numbering for the "SPOOT" variety is 209/414a. The "a" designates "copper." The rarity level is R2 (estimated 2001 to 5000 in existence).
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Replies: 11 / Views: 27,871 |
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Posted 12/10/2008 6:11 pm
