(1860) Silvered Civil War Patriotic Token F-511/514b, Wealth of the South

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,320 MS63 03-25-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 511, a Southern sympathizer design depicting the "WEALTH OF THE SOUTH," one of the secession-themed pieces struck by Benjamin True of Cincinnati — these pro-Confederate tokens are paradoxically among the most collected Civil War token types, with reverse die 514 bearing the provocative inscription "NO SUBMISSION TO THE NORTH". This Southern sympathizer legend appeared on Benjamin True's secession series. The 1860 political campaign die series includes portraits of all four presidential candidates: Lincoln, Douglas, Bell, and Breckinridge. These campaign tokens, struck by Benjamin True of Cincinnati, also include provocative secession-themed designs that are paradoxically among the most prized by modern collectors. 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. Dated 1860.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 511/514b. Die pairing: obverse 511, reverse 514. 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 511/514b