(No Date) Brass Civil War Patriotic Token F-511/519b, The Wealth of the South

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 511, a Southern sympathizer design depicting the "WEALTH OF THE SOUTH," one of the secession-themed pieces struck by Benjamin True of Cincinnati — these pro-Confederate tokens are paradoxically among the most collected Civil War token types, with reverse die 519 bearing a design featuring "Blank". 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 511/519b. Die pairing: obverse 511, reverse 519. 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 511/519b