THE CALDWELL LORD'S PRAYER CIVIL WAR TOKEN

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V23 2020 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 23, Number 26, June 28, 2020, Article 23

In the Summer 2020 issue of the Civil War Token Journal from the Civil War Token Society, Bill Groom published an article about an unusual engraved U.S. coin. With permission, we're republishing it here. Thanks! -Editor

Like many a collector of die-struck Civil War tokens, over time, this writer cultivated a fascination for other forms of exonumia and emergency currency from that historic era. Then followed scrip, north and south; especially so, Sterling Rachootin's so-called scripmates. Sutler tokens took center stage for a time, as did encased postage. I've been fortunate to find and attribute a few Civil War era counterstamped coins, too. After all that variety, imagine my surprise at finding and acquiring the below coin-turned-token, an engraved Civil War era piece! At first glance, I thought it to simply be a love token ...

This high grade of this 1861 Indian cent, boasting four, full diamonds on the ribbon, caused me to initially suspect the coin may have been newly minted when the reverse was planed down and engraved. What really excited me though was the end signature: Engraved by / Augustus A. Caldwell / 23.S.3.St PHILa. This most skillfully executed work of engraved exonumia was, as such, unlike any other piece I'd ever owned. In effect, it's comparable to die-struck store cards, displaying both the work and ability of the issuer.

An image of Caldwell's listing in McElroy's directory for 1861 appears below. It's the only year he's listed, working at this address; matching that engraved on the token. Note, the address, 23 S 3d, matches that of Edwin Vallette. whose engraving office was also listed in McElroy's 1861 directory; this, as illustrated in the below image to the right.

It's unknown whether Caldwell was an apprentice to Vallette, simply an employee or an independent engraver. Vallette's obituary was published in January of 1863 ....

          VALLETTE - On the 23rd instant. Mr. EDWIN VALLETTE, died in the
          70th year of his age. The relatives and friends of the family
          are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Monday after-
          noon, 26th inst., at 2 o'clock from his late residence, No. 947
          North Twelfth Street.

Augustus A. Caldwell was absent in Philadelphia City directories prior to 1861, the year of his first listing. In 1859, one John Caldwell was listed as the proprietor of a hotel at "SE 2d & Shippen" which was occasionally listed as "701 S 2d." John may have been father to Augustus or else otherwise related to John. It's noted in the following directory listings that Augustus was living at John's hotel from 1861-63. One Eugene Caldwell, perhaps a younger brother, is also listed at the hotel; this, only in 1862 and 1863.

1861 Caldwell, Augustus A., engraver, 23 S 3d h SE 2d & Shippen
" Caldwell, John, hotel, SE 2d & Shippen
" Vallette, Edwin, engraving office, 23 S 3d h 606 N 11th (same work address as Augustus)

1862 Caldwell, Augustus A., engraver, 701 S 2d (John Caldwell's tavern/hotel/restaurant)
" Caldwell, Eugene, trunkmaker, 701 S 2d (John Caldwell's tavern/hotel/restaurant)
" Caldwell, John, tavern, 701 S 2d
" Vallette, E., engraver, 622 Market h 1432 Marshall (Vallette moved from 1861 office)

1863 Caldwell, A.A., engraver, 701 S 2d (John Caldwell's tavern/hotel/restaurant)
" Caldwell, Eugene, trunkmaker, 701 S 2d (John Caldwell's tavern/hotel/restaurant)
" Caldwell, John, hotel 701 S 2d

1863 Edwin Vallette died in January. (N.B. - there's afterwards listed an "E. Valette, engraver")

Beyond the 1866 Philadelphia directory listing, this writer found scant mention of an "A.A. Caldwell" in Chicago, circa 1880, and a NY City listing of an "A.A. Caldwell" at 39 Cortlandt Street in 1897.

Philadelphia directory evidence clearly proves that the subject token was created in 1861. This is the only year that engraver Augustus A. Caldwell was listed as working at 23 South Third Street, the address cited on the token. Subsequent directory listings, ranging from 1862 through 1866 illustrate that Augustus continued to pursue his profession. Might the ongoing war have caused him to be absent from Philadelphia in 1864? Might he have temporarily vacated Philadelphia in 1864 in order to assist likely family members, John and Eugene, in relocating that year? As often happens when researching tokens, questions abound.

This writer can but surmise that this most well preserved subject piece was used as a calling card by Augustus. It clearly attests to his talent as an engraver. His token carries a profound message for its time in history, the Lord's Prayer. It's a message that speaks to the character of this engraver, recalling words often uttered during times of great strife.

A very interesting and intriguing piece. Click on the coin image to see a larger version on our Flickr archive. -Editor

"This is one of the most intriguing pieces of exonumia to ever come my way. Wish I could've found more info on Mr. Caldwell. Perhaps I will, in time, as internet resources continue to materialize."