1860 Token DeWitt-AL-1860-51 White Metal Abraham Lincoln Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This white metal campaign token for Abraham Lincoln from the 1860 election is cataloged as DeWitt AL-1860-51, the white metal variant of the dies also used for brass (PCGS #811660) and copper (PCGS #930082) strikings. The existence of three metal variants from the same dies confirms that the die-sinker who produced the AL-1860-51 type maintained an active production operation that served customers with different preferences and budgets. White metal was the least expensive option and would have been purchased by supporters seeking an affordable campaign token. The three-composition set of AL-1860-51 tokens — brass, copper, and white metal — provides a case study in the economics of mid-nineteenth century campaign material production, where a single die investment could generate revenue from multiple product lines. Lincoln campaign tokens in white metal are generally the most common composition variant, as the low material cost encouraged larger production runs. For collectors, assembling complete composition sets of individual DeWitt varieties adds a dimension of completeness beyond simply collecting one example of each catalog number.

Rarity Notes

White metal campaign token from 1860. DeWitt AL-1860-51. Third metal variant alongside brass and copper. White metal is typically the most common composition.

Cross References

PCGS #946708; DeWitt AL-1860-51 (white metal); 1860 Presidential Election; Abraham Lincoln