(1861-65) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-510/519a, 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 519 bearing a design featuring "Blank". 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. The copper composition ensured these tokens closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating their acceptance in daily transactions. Dated 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 510/519a. Die pairing: obverse 510, reverse 519. 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 510/519a