(1861-65) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-510/513a, Stephen A. Douglas

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 510, a portrait of Stephen A. Douglas, the Northern Democratic candidate in 1860 who had defeated Lincoln for the Illinois Senate seat in 1858, with reverse die 513 bearing the satirical inscription "THE WEALTH OF THE SOUTH". These secession-themed pieces by Benjamin True of Cincinnati are paradoxically among the most collected Civil War tokens. The 1860 political campaign die series includes portraits of all four presidential candidates: Lincoln, Douglas, Bell, and Breckinridge. These campaign tokens, struck by Benjamin True of Cincinnati, also include provocative secession-themed designs that are paradoxically among the most prized by modern collectors. This copper striking represents the standard composition for patriotic tokens. Die sinkers chose copper because its properties — malleability, durability, and cent-like appearance — made it ideal for mass-produced emergency currency. Dated 1861-65.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 510/513a. Die pairing: obverse 510, reverse 513. 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 510/513a