(1863) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-142/282b, Maj. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan

Coin Details

Auction Record

$780 MS64 11-18-2019 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 282 bearing a portrait or inscription referencing General George B. McClellan. McClellan commanded the Army of the Potomac and ran against Lincoln in 1864. McClellan obverse dies captured the general at the height of his popularity with the Army of the Potomac. These tokens gained additional political significance when McClellan became the Democratic presidential nominee in 1864, challenging Lincoln for the presidency. Produced in brass, giving this token a distinctive golden appearance compared to the more common copper strikes. Brass tokens typically survive in smaller numbers than their copper counterparts. Dated 1863. Collectors classify these tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique obverse and reverse die combination. Rarity ratings range from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

Rarity Notes

Fuld 142/282b. Die pairing: obverse 142, reverse 282. Brass strikes are less common than copper. 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 142/282b