Scarce 1844 James K. Polk Political Medal

[Kirk PA]

We got out this past Sunday to a new portion of a field that we had hit back in June. The farmer had just harvested all of the soybean and we knew there were treats to be unearthed. It was not long in the iron patch and Kyle said, "Quarter hit here." At that same moment, I stated, "I got a copper signal here as well." I dug down to the desired depth and flipped out a honker of a coin-looking object. The guys were all surrounding me at the moment and we were giving "high-fives." We knew that I had something rare, but did not know what it was at the moment.

As you will notice, I also dug a plethora of Colonial buttons, pewter spoon pieces, and musketballs.

I drove all the way home knowing that what I had was possibly something rare, but I could not put my identification finger on it. It was very perplexing. Yesterday, I decided to give Don in SJ a PM and I sent him pictures of the artifact. I knew by the size of it that it was an early medal (41 mm in diameter - larger than a silver dollar). But, what kind of medal? Was it a King George II Peace medal? I had a flood of thoughts go through my mind, but with each hour passing by and no identification on it, it started to trouble me.

After 4 hours of PM'ing and emailing Don, and like he usually does, he came through with an ID. It is a scarce 1844 James K. Polk political campaign medal. If you look closely, you can read "Polk" on one side and "Dallas" on the other. George M. Dallas was his running mate. Their busts are perfectly identifiable on the medal. Wow, I am pumped about recovering such an historical piece of American history. Here is a link that Don sent to me: http://www.icollector.com/Large-Size-Polk-Dallas-Campaign-Medal_i1383504.

This site has to be one of our best. The artifacts being dug from this site could tell a great story that dates to the Colonial period to the early-1840s. This is what makes this hobby so great. The next flip of your shovel could bring you that rare relic, so dig with a thrill.

Keep the passion high!

Kirk

 

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[texjim]

Awesome job.. Tex

 

[Swingit]

Sweet!!!

 

[Treasure $ Trekkies]

THATS THE TICKET, great find, a bit of real history is worth more than gold. congrats!!

 

[Steve in PA]

Well Kirk, even though it is not a peace medal, it is still a scarce political token/medal. I also like that fancy button you dug. That is a good site you guys are hunting.

 

[SC Keith]

Nice relics there Kirk! I'm glad you were able to get an ID so fast with Don's help. The piece is very interesting and the first I have seen dug. Congrats on some killer finds at the site!
Keith

 

[romeo-1]

Another great find by the boys in PA! Congrats on that...a worth addition to any collection!

 

[GopherDaGold]

I heart plethoras!

Awesome finds!

 

[Hill Billy]

Way to go on those finds Kirk . It is so very sweet to find something rare like that, that's one medal that would be hard to find in anyones collection. Congrats.
Is that a powder flask spout that I see in the photo of group finds?

Hill

 

[The Patriot]

sweet digs there...gotta get my act together and find that kinda stuff ...

 

[Brian(upstateNY-Central Fla.)]

Very nice and congrats on a sweet find again

 

[jeff of pa]

nice Medal Kirk !

 

[Colonial Copper Zeus]

What a site this turned out to be. The mishmash of different type/era finds makes the detecting blood boil. That medal/token is a nice addition to our ever expanding political relic pile.
Chris

 

[Iron Patch]

Might as well pack it in because I don't think you'll dig anything better. ah ok, keep trying.

 

[Kyle PA]

That medal isn't as old as what we originally thought, but it still is a top-notch relic. We all dug killer targets on Sunday! You've gotta love that!

Let's hunt it again once he cuts the corn! There should be a coin or two in there and maybe something even more killer than what we've already dug here!

 

[ModernMiner]

Kirk,
Way to go on the rare Polk medal recovery. Although he's seen better days, that piece still deserves to ride the banner train.
My vote is in.
Those buttons aren't too shabby either. High five!
-Doug-

 

[Kirk PA]

Well Kirk, even though it is not a peace medal, it is still a scarce political token/medal. I also like that fancy button you dug. That is a good site you guys are hunting.

Thanks, Steve, for the response. It is going to be treasured in my collection.

Kirk

Nice relics there Kirk! I'm glad you were able to get an ID so fast with Don's help. The piece is very interesting and the first I have seen dug. Congrats on some killer finds at the site!
Keith

Thanks, Keith, it was nice talking to you the other day. Take care!

Kirk

Way to go on those finds Kirk . It is so very sweet to find something rare like that, that's one medal that would be hard to find in anyones collection. Congrats.
Is that a powder flask spout that I see in the photo of group finds?

Hill

It was stated to be the hardest political medal to find. I bet there aren't too many in collections. Thanks, Bill, on the reply.

Kirk

Might as well pack it in because I don't think you'll dig anything better. ah ok, keep trying.

I don't pack anything in. I exude this passion. See you around the forum, IP.

Kirk

Kirk,
Way to go on the rare Polk medal recovery. Although he's seen better days, that piece still deserves to ride the banner train.
My vote is in.
Those buttons aren't too shabby either. High five!
-Doug-

Thanks, Doug, on the Banner vote. It would be an honor to have this medal be recognized on the Banner. We will see, my friend.

Kirk

Another great find by the boys in PA! Congrats on that...a worth addition to any collection!

I will put it in my collection and smile. It is a great find.

Kirk

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I see more GW buttons posted than I do James K. Polk Political Medals Find of a life time




VPR

 

[Kirk PA]

I see more GW buttons posted than I do James K. Polk Political Medals Find of a life time




VPR

I agree with you, VPR. It took Don about 4 hours to come up with an ID. It is that rare. I appreciate all that Don did to identify it.

Kirk

 

[Don in SJ]

Kirk, congrats on getting one of the hardest to find Presidential Campaign medals! Kudos, I do not remember ever seeing another one posted on any of the forums I have been part of over the last decade. Remember, my friend(very knowledgeable medal individual) thought perhaps it was a Clay medal and that it would be a great find, well this is evidently scarcer than the Clay Presidential Campaign medals and yes, I have seen one or two of them posted over the years.
Hoping my friend responds to my email about what the medal really was, interested in his comments.

There is no doubt this find was a challenge to ID, until you got enough of the dirt off to see some more features, I can see how your dream of a KGII Indian Peace medal were formed fresh out of the dirt, but hey, you sure cannot be disappointed with this find at all. I would have loved to have found this particular medal to add to my own collection.

Here's hoping all three of you again have another great day like you had last Sunday!

Don