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N559: 1868 Campaign Medal for Ulysses S. Grant

US Medal-Token
Identifier:
N559
Type:
Medal
Date:
1868
Dimensions:
Description:
Presidential campaign souvenirs began with brass clothing buttons during George Washington's inauguration, but really took off when Andrew Jackson began to mass-produce brass coins with his likeness on them. These coins served as a way to market a candidate to voters, like bumper stickers or yard signs today. Many of these tokens came with holes, or had holes drilled in them for the purpose of being worn on clothing. This medal was used during the 1868 election in support of Ulysses S. Grant. On the reverse side of this token, the words "I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer" appear. The quote was uttered by Grant during the later years of the Civil War about holding off and beating General Robert E. Lee's troops.
Post-Civil War