(No Date) Zinc Civil War Patriotic Token F-508/510Bi, Breckinridge-Douglas (variant)

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 508, a portrait of John C. Breckinridge, Vice President under Buchanan and the Southern Democratic presidential candidate in 1860, with reverse die 510B bearing a variant portrait of Stephen A. Douglas. Die 510B is a variant Douglas portrait die, distinct from die 510. 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. Struck in zinc, an uncommon composition for Civil War tokens. The absence of a date is common for Civil War patriotic tokens. Production occurred primarily during 1862-1864 when federal coinage disappeared from circulation. Patriotic tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many tokens show heavy wear consistent with extended use in commerce.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 508/510Bi. Die pairing: obverse 508, reverse 510B. Zinc strikes are uncommon. 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 508/510Bi