(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-254/255a, Gen. McClellan

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 254, a striding figure carrying a sack of spilling coins inscribed "MONEY MAKES THE MARE GO" and "GO IT BUTTONS," referencing a sixteenth-century British nursery rhyme — die cut by William H. Bridgens of New York, with reverse die 255 bearing a portrait or inscription referencing General George B. McClellan. McClellan commanded the Army of the Potomac and ran against Lincoln in 1864. This die range includes naval subjects, constitutional themes, Masonic imagery, and commercial designs. The diversity reflects the wide range of interests and loyalties expressed through the Civil War token medium, from military patriotism to fraternal and commercial concerns. 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 1863.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 254/255a. Die pairing: obverse 254, reverse 255. 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 254/255a