(No Date) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-511/513a, Wealth of the South

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,400 MS64RB 06-09-2021 Stack's Bowers

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 513 bearing the satirical inscription "THE WEALTH OF THE SOUTH". These secession-themed pieces by Benjamin True of Cincinnati are paradoxically among the most collected Civil War tokens. This die belongs to Benjamin True's 1860 presidential campaign series. True's Cincinnati workshop produced tokens for all political factions, including pro-secession designs that are now among the most valuable and historically significant pieces in the entire patriotic token series. Copper was overwhelmingly preferred for patriotic token production because it replicated the look, feel, and weight of federal Indian Head cents. Merchants rarely questioned copper tokens placed alongside genuine cents in the cash drawer. This undated piece was produced circa 1862-1864, during the wartime coin shortage.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 511/513a. Die pairing: obverse 511, reverse 513. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens. 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 511/513a