(1856) Token DeWitt JF-1856-10 Gilt Brass John C. Fremont Campaign

Coin Details

Auction Record

$96 MS61 11-26-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1856 gilt brass campaign token, cataloged as DeWitt JF-1856-10, was produced for John C. Fremont's Republican presidential campaign. The gilt (gold-plated) brass composition represents a premium variant, with a thin layer of gold applied over the brass substrate to create a more lustrous and impressive appearance than plain brass or copper tokens. Gilt campaign tokens occupied a middle tier between common base-metal pieces and rare silver or gold presentation strikes, intended for prominent supporters or special distribution at important campaign events. The obverse features Fremont's portrait with Republican campaign inscriptions, while the reverse carries party slogans emphasizing free soil and anti-slavery principles. The gilding process involved either mercury amalgam gilding or electroplating, depending on the manufacturer. Gilt brass tokens from the 1856 campaign are less commonly encountered than their ungilted counterparts, as the gold layer could wear away with handling, and fewer were produced due to the higher cost. Collectors value gilt varieties for their rarity and the visual distinction they provide within a type set of 1856 campaign tokens.

Rarity Notes

DeWitt JF-1856-10. Gilt brass — premium variant less commonly produced than plain brass or copper versions. Original gilding may show wear. Scarcer than base-metal Fremont tokens.

Cross References

PCGS #966186; DeWitt JF-1856-10; 1856 Presidential Election; Republican Party