(No Date) Silver Civil War Patriotic Token F-510/510Af, Stephen A. Douglas

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,880 MS65 03-05-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 510, a portrait of Stephen A. Douglas, the Northern Democratic candidate in 1860 who had defeated Lincoln for the Illinois Senate seat in 1858, 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. Struck in silver, a rare composition reserved for special orders or presentation pieces. Silver patriotic tokens were produced in tiny quantities for collectors and dignitaries. This undated token was struck during the Civil War coin shortage era of 1862-1864, when most patriotic token production occurred.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 510/510Af. Die pairing: obverse 510, reverse 510A. Silver strikes are rare presentation or special-order pieces. 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 510/510Af