(1860) Civil War Patriotic Token F-138/434e, 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 434 bearing a design featuring "For Public Accommodation". George B. McClellan obverse dies reflect a general admired by his troops but faulted for caution in battle. His 1864 presidential candidacy against Lincoln added political dimension to these already-patriotic tokens. Copper was the standard metal for patriotic tokens, chosen because cent-sized copper pieces could pass as substitute federal cents in everyday commerce. Produced in 1860. Congress banned private tokens in 1864, and fractional currency notes and the new bronze cents and two-cent pieces ended the need for them.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 138/434e. Die pairing: obverse 138, reverse 434. The Fuld rarity scale runs from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (believed unique).

Cross References

Fuld 138/434e