The Feuchtwanger cent is a privately issued token that circulated the United States from the 1830s to the 1840s. It was issued in one cent and three cent varieties, although the one cent tokens were most common. The Feuchtwanger cent tokens were designed as pattern coins by Lewis Feuchtwanger for a proposed coin composition of nickel silver.
Who was Lewis Feuchtwanger?
Lewis Feuchtwanger was born in Bavaria on January 11, 1805. In 1829, he earned a doctorate from the University of Jena in present-day Germany. In 1829, he immigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. Feuchtwanger was a polymath and in New York City, he worked as a chemist, mineralogist, and metallurgist and opened a pharmacy.
The Hard Times and a Rejected Proposal
During the Panic of 1837, small change became scarce as the public was holding on to its copper and silver coinage. That year, Feuchtwanger made a proposal to Congress to use his Feuchtwanger’s Composition, also known as German silver or nickel silver, as a means of alleviating seigniorage. Congress ultimately rejected the proposal to use Feuchtwanger’s composition, which was made from nickel, copper, zinc, tin, and trace minerals.
Feuchtwanger Tokens from a Pharmacy
Feuchtwanger also began issuing his tokens out of his pharmacy in New York City in 1837. He dispensed thousands of them. These were produced and used alongside Hard Times tokens but had the notable distinction of being made from a semi-proprietary metallic composition. Other Hard Times tokens were made from brass or copper. The U.S. public utilized Hard Times tokens during coin shortages in lieu of cents and half cents.
Laws were enacted in 1864 to abolish the private issue of coins, and two years later, the first Shield nickels were issued alongside the half dime. These were made with 75% copper and 25 % nickel rather than the Feuchtwanger composition.
Design of Feuchtwanger Cents
In 1837, Feuchtwanger cents were issued in one and three cent denominations and in 1864, Feuchtwanger only produced three cent tokens.
List of Feuchtwanger Cent Issues
| Year | Denomination | Obverse Design |
| 1837 | One Cent | Eagle (Facing Right) |
| 1837 | Three Cent | New York Coat of Arms |
| 1837 | Three Cent | Eagle (Facing Left) |
| 1864 | Three Cent | Eagle (Facing Left) |
One Cent Design
The Feuchtwanger one cent tokens depicted an eagle in flight toward the right clutching a snake in its talons above the date on the obverse. Its reverse featured a floral wreath flanked by two small stars around the words ONE CENT with FEUCHTWANGER’S COMPOSITION above and below the wreath.
Three Cent Designs
1837 Eagle
The 1837 three cent eagle obverse design depicts an eagle taking flight towards the left from a rock with no snake. The date of this issue is again centrally located below the eagle. Its reverse features a different floral wreath, inside of which are the words THREE CENTS. This wreath is flanked by two small stars with the words FEUCHTWANGER’S COMPOSITION above and below the wreath.
1837 New York Coat of Arms
The New York Coat of Arms three cent Feuchtwanger token is an oddity among the issues. The obverse depicts an eagle perched atop a shield, framed between Liberty and Justice. Liberty on the right holds a staff with a Phrygian cap on top of it in her left hand; her right arm is draped over the shield. To the left of the shield is blindfolded Justice, holding balanced scales in her right hand and a sword in her left hand. Below the Coat of Arms is the date.
The reverse of the New York three cent issue is similar to others, with a few notable differences. A floral wreath surrounds the words THREE CENTS. Instead of two stars flanking the wreath, as with previous issues, there are two stars and a flower above and below the words and they are inside the wreath. Around the wreath are the words FEUCHTWANGER’S COMPOSITION, but instead of appearing above and below the wreath, they encircle it from the sides.
1864 Eagle
The 1964 three cent Feuchtwanger issue depicts a refined, elegant eagle flying upward with a snake in its talons. The snake’s mouth is open as if to strike, but the wings of the eagle are beyond its reach. Below the eagle is the date. The reverse of the 1864 issue is equally refined. The wreath has matured into a horseshoe with leaves instead of flowers. There are no stars or flowers flanking the words THREE CENTS and the number 3 has been added above them. Around the wreath are the words FEUCHTWANGER’S COMPOSITION.
Are Feuchtwanger Cents Valuable?
One Cent Issues
Feuchtwanger cents can be very rare and highly valuable, depending on the issue. As stated above, the one cent variety was more commonly found than the three cent varieties and auction prices demonstrate that greater availability. The one cent tokens sell between $153 and $900, although a few pieces have brought in close to $3,000 at auction.
Three Cent Issues
The three cent issues are much harder to find than the one cent Feuchtwanger cent, and their premium reflects that if you can find one for sale.
1837 Feuchtwanger Three Cent Eagle Value
There is a small level of auction data around this issue, but even those in lower grades, like XF-45 have sold for $1,100 to $4,000 in recent auctions. One 1837 three cent eagle was sold in 2012 for nearly $30,000.
1837 New York Feuchtwanger Three Cent Value
The 1837 New York Coat of Arms Feuchtwanger cent has sold at auction for between $4,700 and $12,600 in an MS-64 grade and for $1800 to $3,100 in AU-55 grades.
1964 Feuchtwanger Three Cent Value
This Feuchtwanger issue carries the highest premium. In grades like MS-64, these sell between $5,000 and $12,000 and in lower Mint State grades like MS-60, it sells for between $3,700 and $6,300. These population sizes are small and are limited to only a few recorded auctions.
