Help with Civil War token variety?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by lordmarcovan, Feb 3, 2026 at 5:21 AM.

  1. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    What can you tell me about this Civil War token I picked up at the FUN show?

    Attribution? Approximate value as-is?

    (I know, the dealer had it mislabeled as a "Hard Time"[sic] token. Obviously it is a CWT, not a HTT.)

    I just noticed the "L ROLOFF" under the bust, and the interesting die break connecting the stars on the obverse. I thought it was a neat piece, so I bought it for my giveaway stash.


    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    lordmarcovan, Feb 3, 2026 at 5:21 AM
    #1 + Quote Reply
    ksmooter61, Timewarp, SensibleSal66 and 2 others like this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    This is a Civil War token, and it took me a few minutes to find it again. The piece has been moved in the listings from New York City to Norwich, Connecticut. It was used for a steam ship line which traveled between Norwich and New York City via Long Island Sound. There were two ships, The City of New York and The City of Boston.

    The listing in the now not new Civil War token merchant book gushes about how elegant the two steam ships were which made the runs. The current listing is CT 345 aA-1a. It is a common, R-1 token. “L Roloff” is the signature of the die sinker who made it. His shop was at 1 New Chambers in New York City.

    I am very rusty when it comes to values. The Internet says $30 to $150. This looks like a nice by typical piece to me. I sold a number of them when I was a dealer. Back then it was thought to be a City of New York issue and was listed as NY 630 Q 1a. It might be worth $40 to $50, maybe a little less. In my day it was worth $10 to $15.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2026 at 8:07 AM
    johnmilton, Feb 3, 2026 at 7:31 AM
    #2 + Quote Reply
    dwhiz, Timewarp, Tall Paul and 3 others like this.
  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Thank you. I was thinking $40-ish. Think I paid something like $25 for it. I like it at that price.
     
    lordmarcovan, Feb 3, 2026 at 8:28 AM
    #3 + Quote Reply
    dwhiz and SensibleSal66 like this.
  5. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    Did you say that it's going to be in a contest! :jawdrop:
    I'm in. where do I sign? :wideyed:
     
    SensibleSal66, Feb 3, 2026 at 8:51 AM
    #4 + Quote Reply
    dwhiz and lordmarcovan like this.
  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    You’ve already picked a prize in Giveaway 142, but since you get the option to change your mind if you win the drawing, then yeah, this one should be on the prize list by the time we do the drawing. It could be yours. All you’ve gotta do is win the drawing and change your choice. :)

    (The shipwreck coins you already picked are pretty cool, though…) ;)
     
    lordmarcovan, Feb 3, 2026 at 9:20 AM
    #5 + Quote Reply
    dwhiz likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page