(1863) Civil War Patriotic Token F-93/394a, McCLELLAN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 93, an Indian Head design modeled after James B. Longacre's federal cent, the most popular obverse family for patriotic tokens because its resemblance to official coinage helped these privately struck pieces gain public acceptance, with reverse die 394 bearing a portrait or inscription referencing General George B. McClellan. McClellan commanded the Army of the Potomac and ran against Lincoln in 1864. The Indian Head obverse family capitalized on the recognizable federal cent design. These were among the most commercially successful patriotic tokens because their similarity to government-issued cents made them virtually indistinguishable in pocket change. Struck in copper, the most practical metal for tokens intended to fill the gap left by hoarded federal cents. Copper tokens survive in greater numbers than any other composition, reflecting their enormous production volumes. Dated 1863.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 93/394a. Die pairing: obverse 93, reverse 394. 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 93/394a