Medalets: Historical Background
Medalets or tokens were introduced
during the Andrew Jackson era between 1824 and 1832. Some medalets
had holes so that a ribbon could be attached. These were worn as
either lapel pins or badges.
This exhibit is courtesy of the Macy Hallock
collection.
|
| "Cause" Token in Favor of William
Henry Harrison 1840 |
The "Hard Times Token" was
named for the Depression during the term of Martin Van Buren.
This token referred
to the Federal Government's intervention into banking. It brought
about the donkey as a political symbol.
|
| John C. Fremont - Republican
1856 |
The first presidential
candidate of the Republican party advocated "Free Soil, Free Speech." This political
token promotes Fremont and his running mate, William Dayton as "The
People's Choice."
|
| Millard Fillmore - Know Nothing
1856 |
The American Know
Nothings led by Millard Fillmore ran on a campaign devoted to
unity of the country. Some
of the slogans were "The Union Forever," "No North No South but the
Whole Country," and "Our Country."
|
| Abraham Lincoln - Republican
1860 |
The Rail Splitter
theme for Lincoln's 1860 campaign was designed to show that he
was a man of the people.
An appeal is being made to the western voter in this example of"The
Rail Splitter of the West."
|
| John Bell and Edward Everett
- Constitutional Union 1860 |
Two ferrotypes appear on this token.
A ferrotype or tintype was a photograph taken on sensitised film
supported on a thin sheet of enameled tin or iron. This party supported
the idea of preserving the Union through compromise on the issue
of slavery.
