(1863) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-138/256a, McClellan/Horrors Of War

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 138, a portrait of General George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac and 1864 Democratic presidential candidate — his image appeared on tokens from both supporters and detractors, with reverse die 256 bearing the dramatic inscription "HORRORS OF WAR". This unflinching design acknowledged the enormous human cost of the conflict. George B. McClellan obverse dies reflected the general's complex legacy — beloved by his troops for his organizational genius but criticized for his excessive caution in battle. His 1864 presidential candidacy against Lincoln added political dimension to these already-patriotic tokens. The copper composition ensured these tokens closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating their acceptance in daily transactions. Bearing the date 1863. 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 138/256a. Die pairing: obverse 138, reverse 256. 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 138/256a