(1860) Medal SD 1860-1 Var Copper Stephen A. Douglas Born/Died Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This 1860 copper medal, cataloged as SD 1860-1 variety, commemorates Stephen A. Douglas with a "Born/Died" inscription indicating it was produced as a memorial piece following Douglas's death on June 3, 1861. Douglas (1813-1861) was the Democratic nominee in 1860, running on a platform of popular sovereignty that placed him between Lincoln's anti-slavery expansion position and Breckinridge's pro-slavery stance. Despite winning only twelve electoral votes (Missouri and part of New Jersey), Douglas received 29.5 percent of the popular vote, making him the second most popular candidate nationwide. The "Born/Died" inscription transforms this from a campaign piece into a memorial medal, produced after Douglas's untimely death at age forty-eight from typhoid fever. Douglas had patriotically supported Lincoln after the election and traveled through the border states urging Union loyalty, making his death a significant loss for the nation at the outbreak of the Civil War. The copper composition and memorial nature distinguish this from standard campaign tokens.

Rarity Notes

SD 1860-1 variety. Copper composition. Memorial piece produced after Douglas death June 3, 1861. Born/Died variant is distinct from standard campaign issues. Moderate rarity.

Cross References

PCGS #925491; SD 1860-1 Var; Stephen A. Douglas (1813-1861); 1860 Presidential Election; Democratic Party