Collection Highlights
The Rail Candidate
Date:
1860
Object Number:
PR.010.1860.Rail
Medium:
Lithograph
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Civil War tokens (2)
Object Number:
INV.13855.30a-b
Date:
ca. 1863
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description:
Tokens; metal; same depiction of a man's profile in center of obverses; (a) obverse "FOR OUR COUNTRY / A COMMON CLAUSE" reverse "NOW / AND FOR / EVER"; (b) obverse "THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED" reverse "THIS / MEDAL / PRICE / ONE / CENT"
Gallery Label:
During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
