Get Started Collecting Civil War Artifacts

One of the hottest collectibles from the Civil War period is Civil War tokens. These are actual vintage token coins that replaced money for a short time during the war. And the interesting thing about these tokens is that they were privately minted between 1862 and 1864. Most of the tokens have anywhere from 5,000 to less than five remaining in private hands.

Because of the government’s sparseness in issuing metal cents back then, private ones were distributed and used as real money—issuers used nickel, tin, white metal, silver and German silver and rubber. The government in1864 made it illegal to use non-government issued coinage as monetary substitutes. Generally, the more rare a coin from back then, the more it will be worth currently.

If coins don’t intrigue your senses, then there are all sorts of other possibilities in starting your first Civil War collectible set. If you like the sound of something directly from the Civil War era, then think about collecting items of slavery. Collectors usually go for sale papers, manumission papers, tags, ads, photos, letters or books. If you’d like to bring history to life, and like sleuthing, find items with autographs or signatures from generals or important persons of the day. Postcards, books, military orders, maps, envelopes, receipts and the like are full of such signatures. You’ll find that once you start looking, it becomes hard to stop.

If you’d like to start your vintage Civil War collection with something other than “paper products,” then try finding teapots and kettles. Or, you can amass products such as artwork, calendars, figurines, games, guns, military souvenirs, such as ammunition, clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, tags and the like. Finding a unique idea will lead you in search at some amazing places. Be sure, however, that such hobbies are a lifetime pursuit and should be something you’re really passionate about.

If you don’t like the dusty-musty smell of vintage artifacts clogging your house, then try searching out Civil War collectibles of the newer sort. For example, contemporary throw blankets, bed covers, pillows and wall hangings represent just a small number of what “new” collectors can find. You can go to newer shops and stay away from garage sales, flee markets and second-hand shops.