(1860-62) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-506/512a, Abraham Lincoln

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 506, a clean-shaven portrait of Abraham Lincoln inscribed "FOR PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN OF ILL." — campaign tokens struck by Benjamin True of Cincinnati for the 1860 presidential election, with reverse die 512 bearing a portrait or inscription referencing President Abraham Lincoln. This die is from Benjamin True's 1860 campaign series. Copper tokens matched the size of the federal cent closely enough to pass in change during the 1862-1864 shortage. Produced in 1860-62. Token production peaked in 1863, when the shortage was most acute. Americans began hoarding federal coins following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861, creating the currency vacuum that patriotic tokens filled.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 506/512a. Die pairing: obverse 506, reverse 512. The Fuld rarity scale runs from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (believed unique).

Cross References

Fuld 506/512a