Recent Purchase, a Rare Winfield Scott Political Medalet
BillJones
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When Winfield Scott ran for president in 1852, he was the last Whig Party candidate for the White House. The “glue” that formed and held the Whig Party together had been a common dislike of Andrew Jackson and his proteges. Once they were gone disagreements over slavery tore the party apart.
The “conscience Whigs,” who were mostly from the North were abolitionists or were having serious second thoughts about slavery. The “cotton Whigs” were mostly from the South and were totally in favor of the “the South’s peculiar institution” because it was basis of their economy. Once the fissure began to form, the party was headed for destruction. The Whigs had won two out of the last three presidential elections, but by the time Scott won the nomination, he had little chance of winning.
This Scott medalet is listed in DeWitt as WS 1852-5. DeWitt states that it is hard to determine when this piece made because two 19th century catalogers, Bushnell and Satterlee, were not aware of it. DeWitt further states that all of the pieces he had seen were on “thick Proof planchets” which suggests that they were all made “later than 1852.” The dies were made by J. F. Thomas, a Newark, New Jersey die sinker, who also made a similar piece for Henry Clay in 1844. As you can see, Mr. Thomas was a very capable die maker.
There is one indicator that these dies were made for the Scott campaign. If you look carefully you will see a small circle at the top of the design on both sides. The circle on the obverse is between the letters “N” and “F” in “WINFIELD.” These were guides for holes that would have been drilled into the pieces so that they could have been worn on a string or ribbon.
Here is an example of the Henry Clay piece, which was also made on a “Proof planchet” probably circa 1860. Restrikes like this began to appear during that period when coin and metal collecting started to become popular in the United States. The mintage for this Clay piece is said to be only 10 pieces. I’ve never seen one in white metal, which would have been the probable format for the pieces that were actually issued in 1844.
I have a theory about these pieces, and that’s all it is. Could these pieces have been made for the notification rallies that were held for some 19th century presidential candidates? The game that presidential aspirants played during this period was that it was unseemly for a man campaign for the office openly. The nomination was supposed to be awarded to the candidate without his actively seeking it.
This was based upon the way George Washington was elected, and it was all foolishness. Most any man who aspired to be elected president had to work for it through his supporters at the conventions and in the campaign.
Still the nomination was supposed to be “a surprise.” After the candidate won the nomination, a delegation traveled to his home to notify him and there was often a rally to celebrate the beginning of the campaign. Given the wording on the Scott piece, perhaps that was their purpose.
Comments
@BillJones Whenever I open a thread you have started, I expect a fascinating history lesson. This thread was no exception. Sweet medalets and very interesting history!
@Mark I agree. Bills posts are some of the best I've seen. Very informative!
I looked a similar medaled made by J. F. Thomas for Zachary Taylor for the 1848 campaign. There wasn't one. Then I remembered an interesting story. Taylor's notification that he had won the Whig nomination was sent by mail. As I remember he was a slave owner and owned a plantation in Louisiana. In those days the person who received the mail paid the postage. Taylor won't pay the postage, so he didn't get the notice until later! Therefore there was no immediate celebration for his nomination.
Great post @BillJones! I have a few of the Clay medals (1844s and restrikes) in different metals, but none of the restrikes in white metal -- I didn't know they were presumably non-existent, so I learned something new!
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
Great post as usual, Bill. Nice lunchtime read.
Glad you were able to find the medal.
Great job !!!
+1
Very informative Bill... those 'small details' are really great (i.e. the little circles, postage etc.), they really fill out the historical picture. Cheers, RickO
@BillJones
the Bunker Hill reverse made me smile 
Thank you for the lesson of history
Great post, Bill.
I work in Newark, NJ. Looks a whole lot different than in J.F. Thomas' day I'm sure!
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