Joseph Hooker 1863 Merriam

Fiahingfund

Hi,

Recently acquired via part of a larger Civil War era collection of other memorabilia. Seasoned coin collector but wasn’t exactly sure what this was but research indicates that it’s fairly rare. It’s been interesting looking into the entire JH Merriam history in addition to the whole CWT world.

Thanks - fishingfund

OAKSTAR

I don't know but that sure is a nice looking token! 👍🏻 👍🏻

winesteven

So he’s a major hooker? I’d love to join him at his home for Thanksgiving! There are Hooker’s all around the table! 😉

Steve

ricko

@Fiahingfund... Welcome aboard. Nice old CWT... Major Hooker, primarily remembered for his resounding defeat by Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Chancellorsville. Cheers, RickO

Shurke

Secondarily remembered for giving us the widespread use of the vernacular term “hooker” thanks to his methods of keeping his troops entertained.

dsessom

@Fiahingfund said:

Seasoned coin collector but wasn’t exactly sure what this was but research indicates that it’s fairly rare.

It's fairly rare, most likely, because General Hooker wasn't very popular, even with his own troops. He was known as a drunkard and womanizer, often having parties in his quarters. The term "Hooker" used to describe a prostitute came from the fact that General Hooker often employed them! (No joke!)
He was defeated by General Lee, and resigned his command more than once. One positive noteworthy event in his life is that he led Lincoln's funeral procession. Sadly, he suffered a stroke and was paralyzed less than a year after Lincoln's funeral and was forced to retire.

PerryHall

@dsessom said:

@Fiahingfund said:

Seasoned coin collector but wasn’t exactly sure what this was but research indicates that it’s fairly rare.

It's fairly rare, most likely, because General Hooker wasn't very popular, even with his own troops. He was known as a drunkard and womanizer, often having parties in his quarters. The term "Hooker" used to describe a prostitute came from the fact that General Hooker often employed them! (No joke!)
He was defeated by General Lee, and resigned his command more than once. One positive noteworthy event in his life is that he led Lincoln's funeral procession. Sadly, he suffered a stroke and was paralyzed less than a year after Lincoln's funeral and was forced to retire.

A group of prostitutes followed Hooker's troops and the newspapers jokingly called this group of prostitutes "Hooker's army". Later, was shortened to just hookers.

DCW

Merriam had a short series of medals to commemorate Civil War generals. Among them are McClellan, Kearny, and Hooker. They're all relatively scarce pieces. He struck them in copper and tin, which was oftentimes silvered. I don't know of any legitimate silver striking, but they may exist. In the DeWitt sales, a McClellan medal was sold as a silver medal but without testing it may prove to be silvered white metal.

Nice medal. Nobody quite like Merriam!

telephoto1

Welcome to the boards. Very nice example.

oldabeintx

I sense a collecting theme - Merriam's CW generals.

tokenpro

@ricko said:
@Fiahingfund... Welcome aboard. Nice old CWT... Major Hooker, primarily remembered for his resounding defeat by Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Chancellorsville. Cheers, RickO

Just to be clear, the Hooker piece is a period medal commemorating the Union Civil War generals but it is not a Civil War Token (CWT) as recognized and cataloged by the Civil War Token Society. Merriam did strike some Civil War tokens but as mentioned by DCW above, this is part of one of Merriam's medal series.

BillJones

I have one of these in slightly worn condition. The late Steve Tannenbaum told me it was one of the poorest known, but the grade is AU-50. Most of the known examples are Mint State. Supposedly there are 10 to 20 of these known. Most Merriam items were made in very limited quantities, and this piece is no exception.

telephoto1

@BillJones said:
I have one of these in slightly worn condition. The late Steve Tannenbaum told me it was one of the poorest known, but the grade is AU-50. Most of the known examples are Mint State. Supposedly there are 10 to 20 of these known. Most Merriam items were made in very limited quantities, and this piece is no exception.

I miss Steve. We did a ton of business with him in CWTs

BillJones

@telephoto1 said:

@BillJones said:
I have one of these in slightly worn condition. The late Steve Tannenbaum told me it was one of the poorest known, but the grade is AU-50. Most of the known examples are Mint State. Supposedly there are 10 to 20 of these known. Most Merriam items were made in very limited quantities, and this piece is no exception.

I miss Steve. We did a ton of business with him in CWTs

So did I.