The Rare Coins Site

During the Civil War (1861–1865), coin shortages led Floridian merchants to issue local tokens. Today, these Confederate-era pieces are highly sought after. In this guide, we cover major token types, how to avoid counterfeits, and where to find Florida Civil War tokens.

Background: Token Economy in Florida

Union blockades cut off silver and gold shipments. Local merchants in Jacksonville, Pensacola, and Tampa began minting brass and copper tokens (often called “sutler tokens”) in denominations of 5 ¢ and 10 ¢ to facilitate daily transactions.

Major Florida Token Types

“Jacksonville Sutler 5 ¢ Token” (1862): Obverse: “JAX MERCANTILE CO. 5 ¢” / Reverse: Pine tree motif. Rare varieties include double-struck “DALLAS HIT” overstrikes.
“Tampa Bay Store 10 ¢ Token” (1863): Obverse: “TAMPA BAY ST.” with star; Reverse: “10 CENT” in wreath. Often found in brass or hand-cut copper.
“Pensacola 5 ¢ Token” (1862–63): Obverse: “PENSACOLA CITY 5 ¢” / Reverse: Crescent and star. Extremely scarce in mint state.

Detecting Fakes and Altered Pieces

Weight & Diameter: Genuine tokens weigh approximately 2.7 g (5 ¢) or 5.4 g (10 ¢). Counterfeits often feel too light (2.1 g) or use incorrect metal alloys.
Edge Marks: Authentic Civil War tokens have plain edges; any reeding indicates a later restrike.

Market Values (June 2025)

Jacksonville 5 ¢ (Common): $150–$300 (VF–XF condition)
Pensacola 5 ¢ (Scarce): $800–$1,500 (XF–AU condition)
Tampa Bay 10 ¢ (Rare): $2,000–$4,000 (AU condition)

Where to Find Them

Florida Token Shows: Annual Central Florida Token Expo in Orlando features specialized Confederate-era dealers.
Local Coin Shops: Jacksonville’s Old City Coins often stock genuine 1862–63 tokens with provenance.
Online Auction Houses: Heritage Auctions and GreatCollections list certified Florida Civil War tokens under “Confederate Local Tokens.”

Pro Tip