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Bryan Money, Medals and Tokens

ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited March 27, 2020 11:26AM in U.S. Coin Forum

I follow Bryan dollars and like images of coin presses but have never seen this one before the recent Stack's auction.

Does anyone know anything about this? I was tempted to pick it up but wanted to wait for a better condition unholed specimen. How long would I need to wait?

Comments

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @yosclimber said:
    There are 4 examples sold in auctions from 1928 - 1930 on the NNP.

    Wow, great find from so long ago!

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That is interesting.... and showing the coins falling on the floor...not proofs I guess :D Cheers, RickO

  • NumisOxideNumisOxide Posts: 10,984 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Never seen that one before. Neat.

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Never seen that one at all. Neat.

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Do they even exist unholed?

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,431 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 31, 2021 3:56AM

    How long would I need to wait?

    Perhaps for the rest of your life. I have been collecting Bryan money and other related pieces seriously since the mid 1990s, and I have not see that one before.

    1. The "hole" is not really a problem because if you were goint to wear it, you would need that to hang it.
    2. The condition is not a problem because it's clear and undamaged.
    3. The fact that saying that Bryan would be president in 1897 is interesting because, of course, it didn't happen. It's like of like the Henry Clay "Lying Medal" that his supporters issued during the 1844 election. It is worded as if he won the election, which he didn't.


    Here is an pro-Brian piece that made Mark Hanna, who was William McKinley's campaign manager, look like a "bag man" with a dead Republican Elephant on the reverse. This one is quite scarce, but not as tough as the OP.


    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 26, 2020 8:48PM

    @ricko said:
    That is interesting.... and showing the coins falling on the floor...not proofs I guess :D Cheers, RickO

    Haha! Good eye! :D

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 26, 2020 8:48PM

    @BillJones said:

    How long would I need to wait?

    Perhaps for the rest of your life. I have been collecting Bryan money and other related pieces seriously since the mid 1990s, and I have not see that one before.

    D'oh! I was on the fence about bidding and chose not to in the end.

    At least it gives me something to look forward to :)

    The fact that saying that Bryan would be president in 1897 is interesting because, of course, it didn't happen. It's like of like the Henry Clay "Lying Medal" that his supporters issued during the 1844 eleciton. It is worded as if he won the election, which he didn't.

    That is interesting and good of you to note.

    Here is an pro-Brian piece that made Mark Hanna, who was William McKinley's campaign manager, look like a "bag man" with a dead Republican Elephant on the reverse. This one is quite scarce, but not as tough as the OP.

    I love the themes on this. The dollar sign suit is awesome.

  • DCWDCW Posts: 6,935 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Never seen that one either. Bryan Money is an interesting niche of the hobby.
    Here is a cool one:

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 26, 2020 8:59PM

    This appears to be a rare token for William Jennings Bryan's 1900 Presidential run as I haven't seen another. The token and die was my last pickup of 2019. I'm lucky to have the token because it's the only piece I've found that shows what this die was paired with.

    I've found that political tokens can be a lot harder to find than merchant tokens which is interesting to because I would imagine that many of were struck but it could be because no one bothered to save them.

  • astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That's pretty cool. I have also been collecting Bryan money for a while and have not seen one of those.

    Here is a neat one ...

    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I wish this one was in better condition, but I can't complain finding it in a coin shop junk box for $1.
    .

    .
    After buying it I did some research and turned up this interesting tidbit (below).
    They are apparently very rare - I have only seen one other. It was listed on eBay and in similar condition with an asking price of about $500 (it did not sell, however, as far as I know).
    .

    .

  • astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 27, 2020 5:42AM

    @dcarr said:
    I wish this one was in better condition, but I can't complain finding it in a coin shop junk box for $1.

    Wanna double your money? ;)

    Edited to add ... that's a really cool piece!

    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • tokenprotokenpro Posts: 846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dcarr said:
    I wish this one was in better condition, but I can't complain finding it in a coin shop junk box for $1.
    .

    .
    After buying it I did some research and turned up this interesting tidbit (below).
    They are apparently very rare - I have only seen one other. It was listed on eBay and in similar condition with an asking price of about $500 (it did not sell, however, as far as I know).
    .

    .

    An example of the Statue Of Liberty piece just sold on eBay within the past couple of weeks -- definitely a scarce piece.

    The Bryan piece in the OP was buried in a lot that went for a reasonable price even without the Billy B Coin Press piece.

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 22,721 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Interesting fact about Bryan... He was the youngest Presidential nominee of a major political party in US history... He was 36 when nominated by the Democrats in 1896.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,445 ✭✭✭✭✭

    To answer the OP, there was an old Cosby routine where God asked Noah how long he could tread water. :)

    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The "hole" is not really a problem because if you were goint to wear it, you would need that to hang it.

    this means that whoever invented the "bezel" needs to be in a Hall of Fame somewhere!!! :p they have saved many a coin, especially gold ones, from damage.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,431 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @keets said:
    The "hole" is not really a problem because if you were goint to wear it, you would need that to hang it.

    this means that whoever invented the "bezel" needs to be in a Hall of Fame somewhere!!! :p they have saved many a coin, especially gold ones, from damage.

    Those who were working the political campaign were not concerned about collectors. They were concerned about getting their message out as fast and as widely as possible. These pieces were intended to be used for three or four months and that was it.

    Many collectors are familiar with the satirical Bryan Dollars that are usually cast in lead. They get to be a bit repetitive, even for those of us who collect these pieces. Still there are some that are rare and unusual. Here is one that used a Lincoln quote to make it’s point.


    Here is another rare or very scarce variety that used elements of the Morgan Dollar design to make its point. The octagonal shape may have been intentional to avoid any counterfiet problems.


    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @tokenpro said:

    @dcarr said:
    I wish this one was in better condition, but I can't complain finding it in a coin shop junk box for $1.
    .

    .
    After buying it I did some research and turned up this interesting tidbit (below).
    They are apparently very rare - I have only seen one other. It was listed on eBay and in similar condition with an asking price of about $500 (it did not sell, however, as far as I know).
    .

    .

    An example of the Statue Of Liberty piece just sold on eBay within the past couple of weeks -- definitely a scarce piece.

    The Bryan piece in the OP was buried in a lot that went for a reasonable price even without the Billy B Coin Press piece.

    Found it, thanks.
    Sold for about $250:

    https://ebay.com/itm/392702434014
    .

  • jonathanbjonathanb Posts: 3,411 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 16, 2020 9:20AM

    Great Bryan money everyone! It's great to see all the different varieties!

    Love the matching token @jonathanb! Nice to see a piece that goes with the die!

    The article by John H. Snow is great Dan @dcarr! Love reading numismatic history with images like this.

    Just ran across this one and it seems even the US Navy was into Bryan Money! Anyone know anything about this?

  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I recently picked this one off eBay for a favorable price ;)

    https://ebay.com/itm/293536088760

  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 16, 2020 9:34AM

    @Zoins said:
    Great Bryan money everyone! It's great to see all the different varieties!

    Love the matching token @jonathanb! Nice to see a piece that goes with the die!

    The article by John H. Snow is great Dan @dcarr! Love reading numismatic history with images like this.

    Just ran across this one and it seems even the US Navy was into Bryan Money! Anyone know anything about this?

    That is definitely unusual. I don't know any reasoning behind it.
    If you click on the image to see the large version, I like the effect of how they made the blue areas around the Liberty head look like water - like looking down into a swimming pool.

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 23, 2020 3:30AM

    Thread Revival Notice

    This one sold for$334.00 on Oct 24, 2020. I was the underbidder. It was less than $60 until the last few seconds.

    Is this cataloged? Does this have a DeWitt number?

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/392979460737?

    Medal Token 1900 W. BRYAN A STEVENSON Election Campaign PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

    Bronze. 27 mm. Obverse: Jugate busts of William Jennings Bryan & Adlai Stevenson with "A Republic Against An Empire". Reverse: "Bryan & Stevenson Democratic Candidates 1900". In wonderful condition.

    I believe it's a rare piece. Not listed in Scornstein/Zerbe & I could find no other examples of it; even after an extensive Google search. Unique?

    It was sold by whitewolfcoins of Alexander, New York.

    This one is also from whitewolfcoins and sold for $162.49.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Campaign-Medal-1900-JEFFERSON-JACKSON-amp-W-JENNINGS-BRYAN-DEMOCRATIC-CONVENTION-/392981868739?

  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This explains the whole thing better than any other "Bryan" item that I know of.
    (Click on the link to see in full resolution to read the fine print):

    designscomputed.com/coin_pics/Bryan_envelope.jpg

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dcarr said:
    This explains the whole thing better than any other "Bryan" item that I know of.
    (Click on the link to see in full resolution to read the fine print):

    designscomputed.com/coin_pics/Bryan_envelope.jpg

    That's amazing Dan! Espeically since it's mailed from Victor, Colorado!

  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Zoins said:
    That's amazing Dan! Espeically since it's mailed from Victor, Colorado!

    Yes, and the envelope was also printed by the "Western Litho. Co. Denver."
    (in small print near the lower left corner of the front side).

  • HK-210 is the earliest “free coinage” piece I have, been collecting Bryan Money for 27+ years.

    Still a kid at heart
  • I have a number of unlisted pieces to share if interested.

    Still a kid at heart

  • This is a paperweight I snagged on eBay.

    Still a kid at heart
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 30, 2021 4:51AM

    @schmoozer said:
    I have a number of unlisted pieces to share if interested.

    Great posts @schmoozer! Love your HK-210 and paper weight!

    Please share your other pieces as well!

    Is there a comprehensive Bryan reference to add these to?

  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,359 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Zoins said:

    Is there a comprehensive Bryan reference to add these to?

    The standard reference is "Bryan Money" by Fred Schornstein.

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • tokenprotokenpro Posts: 846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    As mentioned above, the current standard reference is Schornstein's "Bryan Money" published in 2001 by The Token And Medal Society (TAMS), hardcover, 112 pages, quarto, with illustrated dust jacket. It is a complete revision of the previous standard work by Farran Zerbe "Bryan Money - Tokens Of The Presidential Campaigns Of 1896 And 1900 - Comparative And Satirical" which itself was a softcover reprint from articles in the July 1926 issue of The Numismatist. It sticks mostly to the medals and tokens but does list and illustrate some related material.

    TAMS also issued a large separate supplement and price guide to the Schornstein work as part two of the 2012 TAMS Journal. The supplement contains updated information on listed pieces and additions of many unlisted pieces as well as a price guide for all issues. Both works are still possibly available from TAMS (discount for members) and many numismatic book dealers (make sure to compare prices).

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,431 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 31, 2021 3:54AM

    Is this cataloged? Does this have a DeWitt number?

    The Sullivan guide ends at 1892 election. It is my understanding that Sullivan added the 1892 tokens to the book.

    There was a good reason for ending the book with 1892. The number of campaign items that were issued in 1896 is mind boggling.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,431 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I am thinking about mounting an exhibit of Bryan money at the 2022 Winter FUN show. Is any one interested?

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • tokenprotokenpro Posts: 846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillJones said:

    Is this cataloged? Does this have a DeWitt number?

    The Sullivan guide ends at 1892 election. It is my understanding that Sullivan added the 1892 tokens to the book.

    There was a good reason for ended the book with 1892. The number of campaign items that were issued in 1896 is mind boggling.

    Add in the fact that the 1896 campaign was the first extensive use of less expensive celluloid pin back buttons and the whole world of campaign items turned 180 degrees by the 1900 campaign.

  • @BillJones said:
    I am thinking about mounting an exhibit of Bryan money at the 2022 Winter FUN show. Is any one interested?

    @BillJones said:
    I am thinking about mounting an exhibit of Bryan money at the 2022 Winter FUN show. Is any one interested?

    @BillJones said:
    I am thinking about mounting an exhibit of Bryan money at the 2022 Winter FUN show. Is any one interested?

    That is a great idea!

    Still a kid at heart
  • @tokenpro said:

    @BillJones said:

    Is this cataloged? Does this have a DeWitt number?

    The Sullivan guide ends at 1892 election. It is my understanding that Sullivan added the 1892 tokens to the book.

    There was a good reason for ended the book with 1892. The number of campaign items that were issued in 1896 is mind boggling.

    Add in the fact that the 1896 campaign was the first extensive use of less expensive celluloid pin back buttons and the whole world of campaign items turned 180 degrees by the 1900 campaign.

    I bought the Sullivan DeWitt book about 10 years ago, excellent investment. I also have a number of old auction catalogs specializing in political memorabilia, priceless.

    I collect a lot of stuff, the first purchase is most always reference books.

    Still a kid at heart
  • koinprokoinpro Posts: 29 ✭✭

    It was the Brian Money exhibit at the Money Museum in the National Bank of Detroit that inspired me to make the Williams Jenning Brian silver bar back in 1973.

    Ken Potter's Variety Vault, Educational Coin Gallery, CONECA, CONECA-HLM, ANA-LM, MSNS-HLM, NLG, CSNS, NWDCC, IASAC, WBCC, Fly-In
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,431 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 14, 2022 9:17AM

    Here is the 1900 comparative Bryan Dollar, in silver, that is the same size as a government dollar. The guide books say that this piece is common, but I have not found that to be the case.


    For those who are new Bryan dollars, they are divided into two broad classes. The comparative pieces are made of coin silver. They make a comparison between the weight of a government silver dollar and the size that dollar needed to be to be worth a dollar. Usually they were larger that a government dollar by a significant amount. Here is an example.


    The satirical Bryan dollars made fun of the concept of a silver dollar that contained a dollar's worth of silver. They were usually cast in lead and were outrageously large.


    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 26, 2023 3:50PM

    Pretty neat hammer: "Bryan Stevenson Get Your Hammer Out, Now Knock."

    Anyone know how this was used?


    Photos courtesy of David of threeys.

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