1860 Token DeWitt-AL-1860-59 Brass Lincoln-Millions For Freedom Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This brass campaign token from the 1860 election is cataloged as DeWitt AL-1860-59 and features the slogan "Millions For Freedom" alongside Lincoln's name. This powerful motto referenced the willingness of Northern voters to commit their resources — their millions of dollars and millions of citizens — to the cause of preventing slavery's expansion. The "Millions for Freedom" language echoed the famous 1798 toast attributed to Robert Goodloe Harper, "Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute," updating it for the antislavery context of the 1860 campaign. Campaign tokens bearing explicit freedom-related messaging were particularly popular among the more ideologically committed Republicans who viewed the election in moral rather than merely political terms. The brass composition and the combination of Lincoln's name with an antislavery slogan made this an effective dual-purpose campaign piece — simultaneously promoting the candidate and the cause. The DeWitt AL-1860-59 designation groups this with other tokens sharing the same die combination, with the "Millions For Freedom" motto appearing on either the obverse or reverse.

Rarity Notes

Brass campaign token from 1860. DeWitt AL-1860-59. "Millions For Freedom" antislavery slogan variant. Historically significant for its explicit freedom messaging.

Cross References

PCGS #916204; DeWitt AL-1860-59; 1860 Presidential Election; Abraham Lincoln; "Millions For Freedom"