(1861-65) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-508/510a, Breckinridge-Douglas

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,740 MS65BN 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 508, a portrait of John C. Breckinridge, Vice President under Buchanan and the Southern Democratic presidential candidate in 1860, with reverse die 510 bearing a design featuring "Douglas". This die belongs to Benjamin True's 1860 presidential campaign series. True's Cincinnati workshop produced tokens for all political factions, including pro-secession designs that are now among the most valuable and historically significant pieces in the entire patriotic token series. The copper composition ensured these tokens closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating their acceptance in daily transactions. Produced in 1861-65. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans began hoarding federal coins following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861, creating the currency vacuum that patriotic tokens filled.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 508/510a. Die pairing: obverse 508, reverse 510. 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 508/510a