If political convention ribbons could only talk ...
BillJones
Posts: 34,815 ✭✭✭✭✭
Here is a Democratic Party national convention delegate's ribbon from 1896. This was the year that dark horse candidate, William Jennings Bryan, gave his "Cross of Gold" speech and swept the convention. Here is a delegate's ribbon that came not only from that convention but also worn by a member of the Nebraska delegation which was Bryan's home state. Ribbons from other states had different buttons in the center of the piece. This one featured Bryan.
Given that this delegate was a Bryan supporter, probably from the beginning, he was more than like there when Bryan gave his famous speech about how men "should not be crucified on a cross of gold!" This piece was probably pinned to that man's chest at the time.
Why is this of interest to coins collectors? The reason that coins were front and center in this campaign more than any other. Bryan ran on the concept that silver should be made into coins (mostly Morgan silver dollars) in unlimited quantities under the assumption that 16 ounces of silver were equal in value to one ounce of gold. The ratio was actually much higher than that, and the goal of the Bryan and the Democratic Party was to greatly increase the money supply.
The theory was that such a move would bring prosperity to farmers and others. The people who stood the best chance to benefit were those who owed money because they would be able to pay off their debts with cheaper dollars.
Bryan ran a spirited campaign and had the Republican Party people worried for a while. Ultimately his issue campaign ran out of steam, and he lost the election.
This campaign is a specially of mine, and I have many more pieces that I could show if there is interest.
Here is stud Bryan supporters wore during the campaign.
Comments
No interest? I'm surprised.
That is super cool, Bill! And what a great period of time in politics to specialize in. What else ya got?
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
amazing- I do not recall seeing one from Nebraska
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Sorry Bill.
Things seem to get buried here pretty quickly lately and I missed it.
So glad it got bumped up because I think it's fascinating.
The ribbon looks to be in remarkable condition.
Interesting that coinage was an issue along with the reasoning behind it.
Thanks!
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
I have always loved the political memorabilia. Whenever I was a youngster, coin show always had the old political memorabilia in them. Back then, it seemed like it was part of numismatics. Thank you for posting them!
How strange. Free silver. Gold is money. Bimetallism and the limping standard.
"you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."
Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” Speech: Mesmerizing the Masses, link
historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5354/
Unlike my coin photos, this one makes it look better than it is. Compared to its original looks it's a bit dull.
I have a number of buttons and pro and anti Bryan numismatic related items. I'll post more tomorrow.
I think it's a great piece, Bill.
While I don't collect them, I do find them very interesting.
You also lured me into my first post on the new forum!
I'm interested!
Here is the cover of a Puck magazine issue from March 14, 1900 that I think you will find interesting. I have an original issue framed in my office. For those not familiar, Puck was America's first political and social magazine or journal devoted to the issues and to sarcasm. It was originally issued in both German and English editions, but perhaps 15-years into its run only English issues were printed. The magazine lasted from about 1880 until around 1920 or thereabouts. I have three original issues framed in my office and the other two feature Theodore Roosevelt.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Great thread - it does make you wonder what would have transpired had Bryan been elected.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
Great info from way back then. I bet they never would have imagined going off both silver and gold standards.
National bankruptcy was a big issue even back then!
I love it, Zoins!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Bill, great post. When you get a chance, I think many of us would like to see more photos of your political memorabilia.
US Civil War coinage
Historical Medals
Bill, do you also collect "Bryan Money"?
Yes. In the next two posts are examples of the "comparitive" and "satirical" pieces. (I believe that you can only have two pictures per post.)
The compartive pieces of Bryan money were made of coin silver (90% silver, 10% copper). The most common examples were issued for the Bryan's 1896 campaign, but smaller numbers were also issued during his 1900 and 1908 campaigns. The most commonly seen pieces were issued by the Gorham Silver Company, and these pieces are often seen at intermediate sized coin shows and at the major conventions.
The idea behind the comparitive was to make the point that a silver dollar needed to be much larger if it was going to contain a dollar's worth of silver. Most examples are larger than a silver dollar. One piece from the 1900 campaign is the size of a silver dollar and states that it has a market value of 48 cents.
There is one of rare comparitive Bryan dollars that was issued by Tiffany and Companry, the fancy New York City jewelry store. This piece was issued in 1896, and the circle on the reverse is the size of a silver dollar. There is also a more common Tiffany variety with a blank reverse. This piece came from the Eric P. Newman collection. The total population of survivors is probably less than 25 pieces. The official estimate is 18 to 20 pieces.
The satirical Bryan dollars were made of base metal, most often lead. They were almost always cast pieces and made in ridiculous sizes. The idea was that a silver dollar REALLY had to be this big to be worth a dollar. The fact that they were made of lead or pot metal was another aspect of the joke.
The quality of the castings varies greatly. Some pieces are very sharp with nice details. Others are little more than blobs of lead with barely discernible features. The "blobs of lead" pieces have higher catalog value, but it's been my experience that dealers have a hard time selling them and that you should be able to buy them at lower prices.
Here is one of the rare satirical Bryan dollars. This one was made from two aluminum shells that are joined together around a heavier core. The Lincoln quote is interesting. I don't know how many examples of this exist, but the number is not large. In 20+ years of collecting, I've only seen a couple of other examples.
I have many other pieces including the common varieties. If you would like to see any of those, I could post pictures of them too.
Fascinating as always, Bill! I did not realize the intent was to inflate the money supply.
My lone contribution, one of the 'common' varieties, acquired on a whim at a small country auction a number of years ago:
[IMG]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc41/gmockens/IMG_1586.jpg[/IMG]
Bill:
These are fun and fascinating. Do you have one of the "snakes" pieces? I've found those really interesting. I'd LOVE to know the story behind them. (Hint, hint...
)
Great thread... very interesting part of history. A battle of gold and silver - now we just have paper and promises.
Cheers, RickO
I have three pieces that mention "the united snakes of America." Two were from the 1896 campaign and a third one was issued in 1900. The satire featured a character named "Pop" which is short for "populist." Populist politicians, like Bryan, tried to get votes by advocating the popular issues of the day. Surprisingly it has been my observation that they have not often succeeded at least on the presidential level.
This first piece is the most common variety. It features, "Pop" who was probably a duck or maybe a goose with a Democratic donkey head, surrounded by the "united snakes of America" legend and the modified motto, "In Bryan we trust." The reverse features the cuss word taking the place of "dime" or "dollar" indicating that Bryan's supports don't give a d-- about the welfare of the country.
This second piece, which was probably issued in 1896, is much rarer than the first. It features "Pop" encircled by two snakes, and the "united snakes of America" phrase. Similar comments condemning free silver are on the reverse.
This third piece was issued during Bryan's 1900 campaign. Bryan started the campaign pushing free silver again, but by this time the issue had really lost its punch. Thanks to gold discoveries in the Yukon and South Africa the gold liquidity crisis was over, and the economy had fully bounced back from the Panic of 1893 for most people.
Searching for an issue, Bryan pounced on two. He condemned The United States for imperialism and voiced his opposition to an "American Empire." His main target was the Spanish - American War, but since that conflict had already been fought and won, he didn't get much traction with it.
Bryan also came out as a trust buster. The issued didn't work that well for him politically, but Teddy Roosevelt would use it, much his benefit, a short time later.
This piece features and old woman riding a Democratic donkey with a umbrella in her hand instead of a spear. The banner above her reads "Anti Expansion." Many Americans were in favor of expanding the size and influence of The United States at this time, and "imperialism" was not a dirty word at that moment. "Pop" makes a cameo appearance below the hooves of the donkey. And as a parting comment, "Anti Everything" implies that Bryan and his supports are obstructionists who oppose national progress. The reverse of the piece carries the usual anti free silver message. This piece is quite scarce.
This eight sided Bryan dollar is made of aluminum. It is a little smaller than a silver dollar, and it was probably given eight sides to avoid the counterfeiting laws.
The reverse includes a commonly used anti Bryan slogan, "A Bryan dollar worth 53 €, In God we trust for the other 47 €." This piece is quite rare.
We actually don't even have the paper. Most money is bookkeeping entries on computer memory chips.
Very true Bill... thanks for that reminder.... Cheers, RickO
Bill:
Thanks so much for the "snakey" posts. I had seen the first two examples but did not understand them. Now I do! And I had never seen the third at all. I expect it's quite rare? Regardless, thanks very much. Fascinating medals and an even more fascinating history lesson!
Here is one of the satirical Bryan dollars. This one 79 mm in diameter, 6mm thick and is cast in nickel plated iron. It is quite a paper wheight. The message here is that mostly stupid people are supporting Bryan and that his silver dolars are 47 cents short of their face value. This one is scarcer than most. I've only a seen one other one since I've been collecting these pieces.
Sorry, I can't seem to get the pictures to come up with post so you will have to click on them.
Great stuff. Thanks, Bill, for the enlightenment.
Here are the above Bryan dollars.
Lance.
Here is another Brayan Dollar that makes Bryan look like a doofus. I don't know if the button or the Bryan dollar came first. This example is made of cast aluminum. It's not overly scarce.
Here is a well executed satirical Brayn dollar in lead. These pieces, in general, are not hard to find, except if you see one variety that you really have to have.
Wow. Love these Bryan dollars Bill and lkeigwin. I didn't realize there were so many different types!
This is only the tip of the iceberg. There are probably hundreds of them. The anti Bryan people spent a lot of money.
Thanks again Bill....sure is an interesting subject.... a lot of passion on both sides. Cheers, RickO
The voters on both sides were divided into two camps, the gold bugs and the silver bugs. The gold bugs were mostly Republicans although there was a break-off group from the Democratic Party who nominated their own pro gold standard candidates. Needless to say the camps did not like each other. Here is a pro Bryan pin that shows what some farmers wanted to do with the gold bugs.
And here is the pro-gold, Democratic Party candidate ticket. Both of them were Civil War veterans, one from the south, VP candidate Simon Buckner fought for the South.