(1861-65) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-142/347a, Maj. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan

Coin Details

Auction Record

$384 MS65BN 08-11-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 142, a uniformed bust of Major General George B. McClellan, the popular but cautious commander of the Army of the Potomac who ran against Lincoln in the 1864 presidential election, with reverse die 347 bearing a portrait or inscription referencing General George B. McClellan. McClellan commanded the Army of the Potomac and ran against Lincoln in 1864. George B. McClellan obverse dies reflected the general's complex legacy — beloved by his troops for his organizational genius but criticized for his excessive caution in battle. His 1864 presidential candidacy against Lincoln added political dimension to these already-patriotic tokens. The copper alloy used for this token matched the federal cent specification closely enough that these pieces passed freely in commerce during the coin shortage of 1862-1864. Produced in 1861-65. Patriotic tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many tokens show heavy wear consistent with extended use in commerce.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 142/347a. Die pairing: obverse 142, reverse 347. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens. The Fuld rarity scale ranges from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique); survival depends on the specific die combination, metal, and condition.

Cross References

Fuld 142/347a