(1860) Civil War Patriotic Token F-138/255a, Gen. McClellan

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 138, a portrait of General George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac and 1864 Democratic presidential candidate — his image appeared on tokens from both supporters and detractors, with reverse die 255 bearing a portrait or inscription referencing General George B. McClellan. McClellan commanded the Army of the Potomac and ran against Lincoln in 1864. McClellan obverse dies captured the general at the height of his popularity with the Army of the Potomac. These tokens gained additional political significance when McClellan became the Democratic presidential nominee in 1864, challenging Lincoln for the presidency. Struck in copper, the dominant metal for Civil War patriotic tokens. Copper pieces were accepted interchangeably with federal cents by merchants throughout the North. Produced in 1860. New York City produced over half of all Civil War patriotic tokens, with additional output from Waterbury, Connecticut (center of the brass industry) and Cincinnati, Ohio (home of John Stanton and other prolific die sinkers).

Rarity Notes

Fuld 138/255a. Die pairing: obverse 138, reverse 255. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens. The Fuld rarity scale ranges from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique); survival depends on the specific die combination, metal, and condition.

Cross References

Fuld 138/255a