(1860) Token DeWitt AL-1860-41 Brass Railsplitter of the West Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This 1860 brass campaign token, cataloged as DeWitt AL-1860-41, bears the "Railsplitter of the West" designation that became Abraham Lincoln's most effective campaign image. The brass composition gives this striking a golden appearance distinct from the bronze version (PCGS #681783) and other metallic variants of the same dies. The "Railsplitter" mythology centered on Lincoln's early adulthood in Illinois, where he had indeed split fence rails as a young man — an image that perfectly communicated the Republican message that their candidate was a self-made man who had risen from frontier poverty through hard work and native intelligence. The brass AL-1860-41 was one of the most widely distributed Lincoln campaign tokens, with the combination of the popular "Railsplitter" design and the attractive brass composition making it a favorite among supporters. Campaign tokens of this era were carried in pockets, displayed in shop windows, and traded among political enthusiasts, functioning as social media of their time.

Rarity Notes

DeWitt AL-1860-41. Brass composition. One of the most commonly encountered Lincoln 1860 campaign tokens. The "Railsplitter" series exists in multiple metallic variants.

Cross References

PCGS #910841; DeWitt AL-1860-41 (brass); 1860 Presidential Election; Abraham Lincoln "Railsplitter"