(1840) Medal DeWitt WHH-1840-10 White Metal Holed Maj. Gen. W.H. Harrison Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This white metal campaign medal for William Henry Harrison from the legendary 1840 "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" campaign is cataloged as DeWitt WHH-1840-10 and is holed for wearing. Harrison's 1840 campaign against incumbent Martin Van Buren revolutionized American political campaigning by introducing mass-produced campaign materials, organized rallies, and populist imagery on an unprecedented scale. The Whigs portrayed Harrison as a humble frontiersman who lived in a log cabin and drank hard cider, despite his actual background as a Virginia planter's son — an early example of image-based political marketing. The "Maj. Gen. W.H. Harrison" title on this medal emphasizes his military credentials, particularly his 1811 victory at the Battle of Tippecanoe against Tecumseh's confederacy and his role as commander of the Northwestern Army in the War of 1812. The white metal composition and holed condition indicate this medal was worn by a Harrison supporter during campaign events, which featured massive parades, log cabin floats, barrels of hard cider, and singing of campaign songs. Harrison won in a landslide with 234 electoral votes to Van Buren's 60, but died just 31 days into his presidency.

Rarity Notes

Holed white metal campaign medal from 1840. DeWitt WHH-1840-10. The 1840 Harrison campaign produced the largest volume of campaign medals in American history up to that point. Holed examples show actual campaign use.

Cross References

PCGS #889146; DeWitt WHH-1840-10; 1840 Presidential Election; "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too"