(No Date) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-506/510Ab, Lincoln-Presidents House

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,380 MS64 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 506, a clean-shaven portrait of Abraham Lincoln inscribed "FOR PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN OF ILL." — campaign tokens struck by Benjamin True of Cincinnati for the 1860 presidential election, with reverse die 510A bearing a view of the President's House (the White House), a distinctive campaign-era architectural design. Benjamin True of Cincinnati produced this political campaign die series featuring the 1860 presidential candidates. The series includes both pro-Union and pro-Southern designs, making it a unique numismatic record of the deeply divided political landscape on the eve of war. Brass tokens stand out from the copper majority with their warm golden hue. The brass industry centered in Waterbury, Connecticut provided ready access to this alloy for New England token manufacturers. The absence of a date is common for Civil War patriotic tokens. Production occurred primarily during 1862-1864 when federal coinage disappeared from circulation.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 506/510Ab. Die pairing: obverse 506, reverse 510A. 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 506/510Ab