Item number: A1403

Year: AD 1863

Material: Copper

Size: 19.6 x 19.6 x 1.3 mm

Weight: 3.8 g

Provenance: Fuchin Coin 2024

This is a token issued in AD 1863 during the height of the American Civil War by the Union in the North. Known as the “Liberty and No Slavery” token, it symbolised the Union’s commitment to the ideals of freedom and the abolition of slavery.

The token is made of red copper and features a decorative beaded border around its edge. The obverse depicts a left-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a headband, with the issuance year “1863” inscribed below the portrait and flanked by arrow motifs on both sides. Along the upper edge is a circular inscription that reads “LIBERTY AND NO SLAVERY,” a slogan reflecting the Union’s commitment to the abolition of slavery.

The reverse of the token features a wreath woven from olive leaves and oak leaves, symbolising peace and strength. Below the wreath is a shield designed to resemble the American flag. At the centre of the wreath is the inscription “UNION FOR EVER,” a patriotic slogan popular in the Union during the Civil War.

The American Civil War was the bloodiest conflict in U.S. history, fought between the Union (the United States of America) in the North and the Confederacy (the Confederate States of America) in the South. The war arose from deep-seated disputes over issues such as slavery and states’ rights. Ultimately, the Union, led by President Abraham Lincoln, emerged victorious, resulting in the abolition of slavery. However, African Americans who were freed from slavery did not gain equal rights and protections as citizens until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, particularly in the Southern states that had been part of the Confederacy.

物件編號: A1403

年代: 公元 1863 年

材質: 紅銅

尺寸: 19.6 x 19.6 x 1.3 mm

重量: 3.8 g

來源: 福君錢幣 2024

這是一枚公元1863年，美國南北戰爭戰火正熾之際，於北方的聯邦發行之「自由與廢奴」代幣。

代幣的材質為紅銅，周圍以珠圈作為裝飾。代幣正面是配戴髮箍的自由女神左側肖像，人像下方為發行年份「1863」，在左右兩側以箭頭作為裝飾，上緣有環型銘文「LIBERTY AND NO SLAVERY」(自由與廢奴) ，即追求廢除奴隸制的口號。

代幣背面有一個以橄欖葉和橡樹葉編織的花環，下方則有一個以美國國旗為設計的盾牌。花環的中間鐫刻銘文「UNION FOR EVER」(永遠團結一致)，即內戰時期在北方的聯邦流行之愛國口號。

美國南北戰爭是美國歷史上最為血腥的衝突，北方和南方為了廢除奴隸與否和州權等爭議，分裂為美利堅合眾國(聯邦)和美利堅聯盟國(邦聯)兩大陣營，最終由林肯領導的聯邦獲得勝利和廢除奴隸制度。然而奴隸身分遭到廢止的非裔美國人要一直到公元1960年代的民權運動之後，尤其在曾是邦聯的南方各州，方才獲得和白人公民相同的權利和保障。