1864 Token DeWitt AL-1864-44 Brass Lincoln and Union Campaign

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era political campaign token from the pivotal 1864 presidential election between Abraham Lincoln (Republican/National Union) and General George B. McClellan (Democrat). The 1864 election was a critical wartime referendum: Lincoln ran on continuing the war to unconditional victory, while McClellan's platform called for an armistice and negotiated peace. Lincoln's decisive victory in November 1864 ensured the war would be fought to its conclusion. Cataloged as DeWitt AL-1864-44. Copper was the standard metal for patriotic tokens, chosen because cent-sized copper pieces could pass as substitute federal cents in everyday commerce. Campaign tokens are collected both as Civil War tokens and as political Americana. Token production was centered in New York City, which accounted for over half of all Civil War tokens. Additional manufacturers operated in Waterbury, Connecticut; Cincinnati, Ohio; and other Northern cities with die-sinking and metalworking capabilities.

Rarity Notes

DeWitt AL-1864-44. Political campaign tokens from 1864 command interest from multiple collecting specialties. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens.

Cross References

DeWitt AL-1864-44