(1856) Token DeWitt JF-1856-8 Gilt Brass John C. Fremont Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This 1856 gilt brass campaign token, cataloged as DeWitt JF-1856-8, is another gold-plated variety from John C. Fremont's Republican presidential campaign. Like the JF-1856-10, this piece features gilt brass composition indicating premium production for prominent supporters. The JF-1856-8 die combination produces a different obverse portrait or reverse design from the JF-1856-10, as each DeWitt number represents a distinct die pairing. Fremont's campaign was the most heavily tokenized of the three 1856 candidacies, reflecting the energy and organizational prowess of the new Republican Party, which drew supporters from the defunct Whig Party, the Free Soil movement, and anti-Nebraska Democrats. The gilt finish would have made this token stand out among the plainer pieces distributed at rallies, serving as a mark of distinction for committed party members who contributed financially to the campaign. Gilt brass tokens from any era are collected as a distinct composition category within political Americana, and 1856 examples hold particular historical significance as artifacts of the Republican Party's founding election.

Rarity Notes

DeWitt JF-1856-8. Gilt brass variant. Scarcer than plain brass or copper versions due to higher production cost. Gilt condition varies significantly among surviving examples.

Cross References

PCGS #927798; DeWitt JF-1856-8; 1856 Presidential Election; Republican Party