1840 Campaign Token - Major General Harrison

[lenmac65]

Yesterday I searched a former homesite in the woods that was a tangled mess of thorny vines, fallen trees, and saplings. I managed to get a couple keepers though, including this campaign token of William Henry Harrison that was minted for the 1840 presidential election. The token is brass and was issued with a hole at the top so it could be worn. The obverse shows him in his military uniform and states “Maj Gen W.H. Harrison” along with his date of birth in 1773. The reverse shows a representation of the log cabin he was born in with the statement “The Peoples Choice in the Year 1840.” Harrison would ultimately win the election, but became gravely ill following the inauguration and died just 31 days later. I have never dug one of these tokens, and had no idea what I found at the time. I also dug an old bullet and a couple buttons, including one with an eagle on the back mark. Thanks for checking out my post and happy hunting.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

A fantastic piece of history - congrats !

 

[Jeff H]

It's in great shape too!

 

[Oldrvrrat57]

I dug one of them several years ago but yours is in alot better shape! Congratulations on a rare find!

 

[The Rebel]

That's a great find!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on that great piece of political memorabilia.

 

[Steve in PA]

Nice find. Harrison put a lot of buttons and tokens out in 1840. I have found two of his buttons and the same token as yours.

 

[rhedden]

"Tangled mess of thorny vines, fallen trees, and saplings" sounds like every cellar hole I have around here (on the other side of the Taconics in NY)

That token came out of the ground in great shape! What a nice find!

 

[oldmxrat]

Fantastic finds, congrats!

 

[lenmac65]

I dug one of them several years ago but yours is in alot better shape! Congratulations on a rare find!

Thanks! I was curious about your token, but I couldn’t find it. I guess these tokens are not all that rare, though they are definitely rare for me. I really like it, as it is an interesting piece with a great portrait.

 

[lenmac65]

"Tangled mess of thorny vines, fallen trees, and saplings" sounds like every cellar hole I have around here (on the other side of the Taconics in NY)

That token came out of the ground in great shape! What a nice find!

😆 Thanks! It is definitely a challenge searching around those overgrown cellar holes, but they do seem to be the most rewarding places to search.

 

[lenmac65]

Nice find. Harrison put a lot of buttons and tokens out in 1840. I have found two of his buttons and the same token as yours.

Thanks! I have seen a number of Harrison related tokens and relics posted here, so I guess they are not too uncommon to find. I did a quick search for the token you may have posted, as I was curious, but could not find it. This token was a first for me. I really like the design and history of the piece. Thanks again.

 

[Silvermonkey]

Yesterday I searched a former homesite in the woods that was a tangled mess of thorny vines, fallen trees, and saplings. I managed to get a couple keepers though, including this campaign token of William Henry Harrison that was minted for the 1840 presidential election. The token is brass and was issued with a hole at the top so it could be worn. The obverse shows him in his military uniform and states “Maj Gen W.H. Harrison” along with his date of birth in 1773. The reverse shows a representation of the log cabin he was born in with the statement “The Peoples Choice in the Year 1840.” Harrison would ultimately win the election, but became gravely ill following the inauguration and died just 31 days later. I have never dug one of these tokens, and had no idea what I found at the time. I also dug an old bullet and a couple buttons, including one with an eagle on the back mark. Thanks for checking out my post and happy hunting.
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That is a very cool token. What a great piece of history too! I'm impressed with its condition. I guess they made tokens to last back in the day. Congrats on a fantastic find.

 

[NHmetaldetectrelichunter]

Yesterday I searched a former homesite in the woods that was a tangled mess of thorny vines, fallen trees, and saplings. I managed to get a couple keepers though, including this campaign token of William Henry Harrison that was minted for the 1840 presidential election. The token is brass and was issued with a hole at the top so it could be worn. The obverse shows him in his military uniform and states “Maj Gen W.H. Harrison” along with his date of birth in 1773. The reverse shows a representation of the log cabin he was born in with the statement “The Peoples Choice in the Year 1840.” Harrison would ultimately win the election, but became gravely ill following the inauguration and died just 31 days later. I have never dug one of these tokens, and had no idea what I found at the time. I also dug an old bullet and a couple buttons, including one with an eagle on the back mark. Thanks for checking out my post and happy hunting.
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Crazy I just found the same button yesterday. I posted it with my large cents here. It’s the one that reads best quality

 

[Steve in PA]

Thanks! I have seen a number of Harrison related tokens and relics posted here, so I guess they are not too uncommon to find. I did a quick search for the token you may have posted, as I was curious, but could not find it. This token was a first for me. I really like the design and history of the piece. Thanks again.

Here is my token along with the two buttons I've found.

 

[Gare]

GREATB FINDS !!!!

 

[jewelerguy]

that's cool!

 

[lenmac65]

That is a very cool token. What a great piece of history too! I'm impressed with its condition. I guess they made tokens to last back in the day. Congrats on a fantastic find.

Thanks! I think maybe the brass made a difference. The typical copper coins I have dug of that age are usually much more corroded.

 

[lenmac65]

Here is my token along with the two buttons I've found.

Thanks for sharing. That token is in real nice shape too.

 

[lenmac65]

Crazy I just found the same button yesterday. I posted it with my large cents here. It’s the one that reads best quality

That is a coincidence. Did yours have an eagle on it too? I think the eagle indicates it was made in the U.S., versus a crown for British made.