1860 Token DeWitt-AL-1860-73 Lincoln, Copper-Nickel Campaign

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,140 MS64 03-31-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This copper-nickel campaign token for Abraham Lincoln from the 1860 election is cataloged as DeWitt AL-1860-73, the copper-nickel variant of the dies used for the brass PCGS #968178. Copper-nickel composition is unusual among 1860 campaign tokens, as most were struck in brass, copper, or white metal. The copper-nickel alloy — composed of approximately 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel — had been adopted by the United States Mint for the cent in 1857 and for the new three-cent piece in 1865, making it a recognizably "official" metal for currency-sized pieces. A die-sinker producing campaign tokens in copper-nickel was making a subtle statement about the token's quasi-monetary character, or simply using available planchets. The copper-nickel composition gives this token a distinctive pale gray color different from both copper's reddish-brown and brass's golden tone. The existence of copper-nickel variants of Lincoln 1860 tokens demonstrates the range of materials available to token manufacturers and their willingness to experiment with compositions beyond the standard three-metal repertoire.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel campaign token from 1860. DeWitt AL-1860-73. Unusual alloy for campaign tokens. Scarce composition variant.

Cross References

PCGS #592052; DeWitt AL-1860-73 (copper-nickel); 1860 Presidential Election; Abraham Lincoln