Abraham Lincoln / Hannibal Hamlin 1860 Presidential Campaign Token / SOLD

Description

Abraham Lincoln / Hannibal Hamlin 1860 Presidential Campaign Token 

 

A scarce and desirable Abraham Lincoln & Hannibal Hamlin 1860 presidential campaign token ferrotype by Roderick M. Cole set into a coin-shaped brass frame.  The reverse of the medal features a similar ferrotype photo of Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, Lincoln’s vice-presidential running mate in 1860.

These tokens were produced during the pivotal 1860 election and often worn as lapel pendants or suspended from ribbons by campaign supporters.

The obverse reads:

“ABRAHAM LINCOLN ★ 1860”

while the reverse carries:

“HAMLIN ★ 1860”

 

Both sides once housed small ferrotype photographic portraits of the candidates—now worn away to a silvered residue due to long burial, giving the piece classic “dug” character. The brass frame has a uniform, untouched excavated patina with green highlights, and still retains its small suspension hole at the top.

 

Lincoln/Hamlin ferrotypes were among the earliest mass-produced photographic political tokens, widely distributed during the 1860 campaign as wearable political statements. Surviving examples—even in dug condition—are sought after as tangible pieces of the election that brought Abraham Lincoln to the presidency and set the nation on the path to Civil War.

 

Comes housed in a 6 x 8 inch display case with red velvet backing and descriptive card.

 

Inventory Number:  POL 405