(1856) Token DeWitt JF 1856-14 Brass John C. Fremont Campaign

Coin Details

Auction Record

$204 MS65 06-16-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1856 brass campaign token, cataloged as DeWitt JF 1856-14, was produced for John C. Fremont's Republican presidential campaign. The JF 1856-14 variety represents one of the later numbers in the extensive Fremont token series, reflecting the enormous variety of campaign pieces generated by the first Republican presidential candidacy. Brass provided an attractive gold-toned appearance that visually distinguished these tokens from copper and white metal varieties. Fremont's campaign attracted passionate young supporters organized into "Wide-Awake" clubs and marching companies who wore campaign tokens and carried torches in nighttime parades through northern cities. The reverse of DeWitt JF 1856-14 carries anti-slavery slogans or references to Fremont's western explorations, themes that dominated Republican campaign material in 1856. The brass composition indicates this particular variety was aimed at supporters willing to pay slightly more for a more visually impressive token, as brass required more expensive raw materials than white metal while remaining far cheaper than silver.

Rarity Notes

DeWitt JF 1856-14. Brass composition. The large number of Fremont varieties reflects the enthusiasm of Republican supporters producing campaign material across multiple manufacturing centers.

Cross References

PCGS #763743; DeWitt JF 1856-14; 1856 Presidential Election; Republican Party