(1860) Civil War Patriotic Token F-508/510Aa, Breckinridge-Presidents House

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 508, a portrait of John C. Breckinridge, Vice President under Buchanan and the Southern Democratic presidential candidate in 1860, with reverse die 510A bearing a view of the President's House (the White House), a distinctive campaign-era architectural design. This die belongs to Benjamin True's 1860 presidential campaign series. True's Cincinnati workshop produced tokens for all political factions, including pro-secession designs that are now among the most valuable and historically significant pieces in the entire patriotic token series. Copper was overwhelmingly preferred for patriotic token production because it replicated the look, feel, and weight of federal Indian Head cents. Merchants rarely questioned copper tokens placed alongside genuine cents in the cash drawer. Produced in 1860.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 508/510Aa. Die pairing: obverse 508, reverse 510A. 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 508/510Aa