How to Identify Civil War Tokens

Look closely at your token. If you cannot read the text without help, get a magnifying glass. The text may reveal the origin of the token. The location of the token's use, such as "copper mine" or "toys and confectionary," may be printed on the token. Alternatively, the token may contain a slogan such as "union and liberty" or "concession before secession." It may also contain a name of a Civil War-era figure such as Abraham Lincoln.

Check your token for a specific design. Some Civil War tokens, known as Monitor tokens, will contain an image of a steamship below a field of stars; the token will also have "Our Little Monitor" printed on it. If there is no field of stars above the steamship, there may be a series of ridges, called denticles, all around the edge of the coin. Many of these tokens represent identifiable landmarks or symbols from that era.

Identify any other images on your token. Many Civil War tokens contain images and/or names of companies or industries of the time. For example, a token with the image of a bent arm holding an axe may be a token from Arm &Hammer.

Look for a number and letter combination on your token. The numbers will indicate the kinds of dyes used in casting the token, whereas the letter will indicate the kind of metal from which the token was made. A collectors' manual will help you identify the dyes and metals of your token.