(1864) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-130/142b, Lincoln-McClellan

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 130, a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln — tokens bearing his likeness are among the most sought-after Civil War patriotic issues, with reverse die 142 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's portrait on patriotic tokens transformed everyday commerce into a political statement. These dies are among the scarcest and most valuable in the entire patriotic token series. The brass composition, while less common than copper, produced tokens with a distinctive yellow-gold appearance. Waterbury, Connecticut — the brass capital of America — supplied much of the raw material for token production. Produced in 1864. Die sinkers produced patriotic tokens on hand-operated screw presses capable of striking several hundred pieces per hour. The largest manufacturers maintained multiple presses and employed teams of workers to meet the enormous wartime demand.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 130/142b. Die pairing: obverse 130, reverse 142. 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 130/142b