USAmericana Blog

In his book Collecting Political Americana, Edmund Sullivan makes the following observation: “In my opinion, medallic art is the highest aesthetic form to be found in political Americana. Numismatists have long appreciated the subtle tones and shades that enhance silver coinage and mellow copper and bronze, as well as the evident craftsmanship that can make medallic art a genuine creative expression. But more to the point is the fact that this category is one of the most underrated by political collectors. Very fine and often rare pieces can be acquired at reasonable prices.”

I couldn't agree more. Before the advent of the more cheaply produced pinback buttons towards the end of the 19th century, political tokens and medals were the most prolific form of political campaigning, often holed so that they could be worn (and a rare instance in numismatics where a holed example is worth no more or less than an unholed example).

Most 19th century political “exonumia” (the term used for the collecting of medallic items that resemble coins, such as tokens, medals, ferrotytpes, etc.) issued for presidents and presidential campaigns starting around the time of the Andrew Jackson administration is readily available, with some notable exceptions: Lewis Cass in 1848 and James Polk in 1844. Nice examples of William Henry Harrison tokens can still be found for under $50. A large variety of George Washington tokens and medals hailing his accomplishments were produced before his death and can be found at the $300+ level. For those of you interested in Washington exonumia, I urge you to get a copy of Medallic Portraits of Washington by Russell Rulau and George Fuld, readily available on Amazon.com for around $20.

There are restrikes, and to a lesser extent reproductions, so beware. Restrikes (many of which were struck in the 1860's) can be very deceptive, and the difference between a restrike and an original can be very subtle. The best source for identifying restrikes is J. Doyle Dewitt's A Century of Campaign Buttons 1789-1889, or the updated version of Dewitt's book by Edmund B. Sullivan – American Political Badges and Medalets 1789-1892. Both books are out of print, difficult to obtain, but an absolute must for the serious collector of political numismatics. If you can find a copy of either for under $250, grab it.

One final note – for those of you who are numismatists, you understand that a coin worth $25 in average, circulated condition, could be worth hundreds (or even thousands) in high grade uncirculated or proof condition. Political exonumia has been slow to follow this trend, and I have felt for a long time that high grade, choice specimens are sorely undervalued.

Of course, political auctions and political collectors' shows are your best sources to obtain political tokens and medals, but make it a point to regularly hit your local coin shop or coin show.

Collecting political numismatics is a challenging endeavor – that probably won't break the bank. Enjoy our current listings and keep checking back for new selections in political exonumia.

If you ask me why I collect political Americana, I would tell you it's because of my interest in American politics – the good, bad, the ugly, the hoopla – the unique quadrennial insanity and excitement of the American experience known as a presidential campaign.

If you ask me what I collect, I would tell you it's items that tell a story, that capture some historical or political moment in time – that little pinback button that brings to life a presidential event or a political sentiment, that ribbon or ticket or invitation that sends us back in time to an event – as if we were there.

Such is the case with this unassuming ribbon badge I found last year. Grant had lost the Republican presidential nomination to James Garfield in and found himself touring the country to stump for Republican candidates in 1880. The New York Times headline of October 17, 1880, read: GEN. GRANT IN HARTFORD WELCOMED WITH PROCESSIONS, SPEECHES, AND FIRE-WORKS.

After some research, and what piqued my interest, was that the former President was introduced by, among others, Samuel Clemens. An excerpt of the introduction, riddled with Clemens' inimitable humor, follows:

“I am deputized to welcome you to the sincere and cordial hospitalities of Hartford. At first it was proposed to have only one speaker to welcome you, but this was changed because it was feared that, considering the shortness of the crop of speeches this year, if anything occurred to prevent that speaker from delivering his speech you would feel disappointed. By years of colossal labor and colossal achievement, you at last beat down a gigantic rebellion and saved your country from destruction. Then the country commanded you to take the helm of State. By this present fatiguing progress through the land you are mightily contributing toward saving your country once more, this time from dishonor and shame and from commercial disaster. Your country loves you. Your country is proud of you. Your country is grateful to you. Her applauses which have been thundering in your ears all these weeks and months, will never cease while the flag you saved continues to wave. Your country stands ready from this day forth to testify her measureless love and pride and gratitude toward you in every conceivable inexpensive way. Welcome to Hartford, great soldier, honored statesman, unselfish citizen.”

Grant humbly responded:

“I am very proud of the welcomes that I have received at the hands of my fellow citizens from San Francisco to Boston...I recognize the generosity of the American people; and what they have given me is more valued than gold or silver. No amount of the latter could compensate for the courtesy and kind feeling with which I have everywhere been received. I feel you have given testimony to that today, and for that I thank you one and all.”

The New York Times article went on to describe the scene after the speeches:

“General Grant and party were escorted through the city by a procession composed of 2,000 or more veterans...and nearly 3,000 members of the Republican campaign clubs of Hartford and the surrounding towns. Subsequently there was a grand torch-light parade, illuminations, and decorations, and in a blaze of fire-works, electric lights and torches, and the cheers of thousands of people...”

Who knows – maybe this is the very badge that Mark Twain wore at the event? Ok, that's probably a stretch. But this is just one example of a political artifact that brings an event to life and, as collectors, offers one unique glimpse into the American political experience.

Part one of a continuing series on political facial fuzz

Breaking the Presidential "Beard Barrier" - Grace Bedell is an unsung hero of American history. On October 15, 1860, she wrote an impassioned letter to then candidate Abraham Lincoln urging him to grow a beard in order to hide his somewhat sickly countenance. The letter apparently worked, because less than a month later then President Lincoln was sporting American history's most famous beard, a somewhat Amish chinstrap variety he'd wear till the end of his life.

Until Lincoln's fateful decision, no American president had dared to delve beyond the hirsute half-measure of sideburns (worn by Washington, Jefferson, J. Q. Adams, Van Buren, Polk and Taylor).

Speaking of Sideburns - What did they call sideburns before General Ambrose Burnside? I don't know, but it isn't too difficult to recognize that naming a whole genre of facial hair configurations after this man was not only appropriate, but inevitable.

Ambrose would ride the coattails of his formidable mutton chops on into his postbellum career, including two terms representing Rhode Island as a U.S. Senator. Some say that Burnside could have accomplished even more if he hadn't been committed to a couple hours of daily whisker grooming. What these cynics fail to take into account, though, was the time he saved on maintenance of his coiffure.

"Grow West, Young Man" - Horace Greeley was a newspaper editor, founder of the Liberal Republican Party, reformer, politician, outspoken opponent of slavery, and wearer of perhaps the most eccentric variety of facial hair of his or any day. Although, to call it "facial hair" would be to deny its basic genius, in that none of it actually resided on his face.

Clearly a man who forged his own path, Greeley opted to grow a whispy, downy, and luxuriant neck-beard that was the envy of Alpaca enthusiasts from the Andes to the Rocky mountains. Legend has it that Greeley, an avowed spendthrift, decided to grow the kitten-fur like mane so as to save on both shaving supplies and scarves.

Interesting side-note: I've been told by an accomplished backpacker friend of mine that if Greeley's throat fur were used to fill a sleeping bag, it would be a more efficient filling than premium goose-down, and would probably be rated for temperatures as extreme as -40° Celcius.

Replete in Defeat - When life hands you lemons, sometimes you just got to throw those lemons aside, unplug the internet you invented, and grow a Grisly Adams-worthy beard. Such was the case when Al Gore emerged from his post-Florida recount self-imposed exile with a beard that said to the world "what's the point of even trying anymore?"

Gore must have been reeling from the disappointment when he threw his Norelco into a lockbox and decided to reduce his carbon faceprint.

For those who love baseball and politicals, the Spring show and sale sponsored by the Arizona Political Items Collectors is the perfect venue for both and has become my favorite political collectors' show of the year. Ron and Jim Puechner do an outstanding job of organizing and promoting the show and this year will be no different. The last time I spoke to Ron he anticipated selling 60 dealer tables.

Last year's show was buzzing with activity as collectors from all over enjoyed a non-stop day of buying and selling, capped off with an outstanding auction of walk-in material from a local political collection. The auction tradition will continue this year – Ron is encouraging attendees to consign one or two items valued at $100+. Yours truly has agreed to be the auctioneer.

Dealer table are only $10 each for APIC members.

Show hours are 10-3, and set-up starts at 9:00 am.

The show will be held in the Family Life Center / Gym at the Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48^th Street, in Phoenix. For more information, contact Ron Puechner at 480-577-9575 or email [email protected].

Come enjoy a terrific show and catch a Spring Training Cactus League baseball game!

As a veteran of hitting countless thousands of antique shops across the country over the past 45 years, I have perfected my list of “red flags”. To enhance your shopping experience and avoid undo aggravation, heed these warnings and vacate the shop immediately if you experience any of the following:

1. You spot one or more Beanie Babies.
2. There’s no discernable difference between the merchandise at the antique store and the merchandise at the Goodwill Store down the street.
3. The presence of potpourri.
4. You can’t find a single antique within the first two minutes of entering the antique shop.
5. You mention to the shopkeeper that you are looking for political memorabilia and he or she reaches into the showcase and, with great pride and anticipation, hands you a Nixon Now More Than Ever litho - priced at $14.95.
6. You can purchase the same merchandise at a lower price at the local Wal*Mart.
7. The shop specializes in “shabby chic”.
8. You suspect the shopkeeper thinks that Herbert Hoover was some guy who ran a large vacuum cleaner company and asks you “looking for anything special?”. DO NOT RESPOND. Pretend that you are deaf.

Failure to heed this advice can result in nausea, vomiting, depression, blurred vision, heightened aggressiveness, and suicidal thoughts.