Copperhead Braided Hair Large Cent

Yep, good details. I've yet to see one of these that was in a grade above fine condition; this, as these were essentially pocket pieces. As so many folks had loved ones fighting in the fields, the copperheads, but for the larger cities, wherein their numbers favored them, gradually realized that their position would make them targets of public outrage.

I love a beautiful old coin, every bit as much as most collectors. Yet, pieces that that emote history in the making add a wholly new dimension for this old guy. IMHO, when a piece has this quality, condition becomes virtually meaningless. Studying anomalies like this piece, and counterstamps for example, can take collectors into the next dimension, so to speak.

I think they were right wing conservatives of the Democratic-Republican party. This was before the party split. They were opposed to abolition and sympathized with the Confederacy.

Thank you, HondoB.

" Yes, the Copperheads were a conservative, anti-war faction of the Democratic Party in the North during the American Civil War (1861-1865). They were known for favoring a negotiated peace with the Confederacy, protecting states' rights, and staunchly opposing Abraham Lincoln's administration, often advocating for an immediate end to the conflict, as noted by Britannica and University of Michigan.
Key characteristics of this conservative faction included:

Ideology: They were strict constructionists, viewing Lincoln's war actions as unconstitutional and despotic.

Opposition: They opposed conscription, the suspension of habeas corpus, and the emancipation of slaves.

Regional Strength: They were strongest in the Midwest (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois) among people with Southern roots or ties.

Supporters: They were often referred to as "Peace Democrats" who wanted to return to a pre-war status quo.

Action: They actively criticized the war effort, encouraging desertion and draft resistance.

While some were simply critics, some Copperheads were considered treasonous by Republicans due to their sympathy for the Confederacy. "

We have to remember that Democrats were conservatives and Republicans were a more liberal faction of the Democratic-Republican Party. The party split and eventually flip flopped in later years with the Democrats becoming a more liberal party and the Republicans becoming conservative.

Probably an argument left for a different forum. I doubt our political divide will be solved here and I don't want a coin forum to devolve into politics.