(1863) White Metal Civil War Patriotic Token F-129/282e, Abraham Lincoln

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 129, a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, the wartime Commander-in-Chief whose image served as both political endorsement and patriotic rallying symbol, 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. Abraham Lincoln obverse dies are among the most valuable and sought-after in the Civil War patriotic token series. Lincoln tokens command significant premiums, as they combine political, historical, and numismatic significance in a single collectible piece. The white metal composition gives this token a silvery appearance that contrasts with the more common copper issues. White metal is softer than copper, so surviving examples often show greater wear or softer strike details. Dated 1863. The end of the token era came swiftly in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of a brief but remarkable chapter in American monetary history.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 129/282e. Die pairing: obverse 129, reverse 282. White metal (lead/tin alloy) strikes are scarcer 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 129/282e