(1860) Token SD 1860-3 Copper Stephen A. Douglas Restrike Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This copper campaign token for Stephen A. Douglas from the 1860 election, cataloged as SD 1860-3, is identified as a restrike — a later production from the original dies. The restrike designation indicates this piece was struck after the initial campaign production run, for collectors who recognized the historical significance of Douglas's 1860 candidacy. Douglas's popular sovereignty doctrine, while intended as a moderate compromise on the slavery question, ultimately satisfied neither abolitionists nor proslavery advocates and contributed to the collapse of the Democratic Party. Douglas was the last major presidential candidate to attempt to bridge the North-South divide through legislative compromise, and his campaign material documents the final effort to hold the Union together through political means. The copper composition of this restrike provides an attractive and durable medium for a piece whose primary audience was collectors rather than campaign activists. Douglas campaign tokens are considerably scarcer than Lincoln items from the same election, reflecting both the smaller scale of Democratic campaign material production and the lower survival rate for tokens of losing candidates.

Rarity Notes

Copper restrike campaign token from 1860. SD 1860-3. Restrikes indicate later collector-oriented production. Douglas 1860 material is significantly scarcer than Lincoln items.

Cross References

PCGS #617002; SD 1860-3 (restrike); 1860 Presidential Election; Stephen A. Douglas