(1840) Token WHH 1840-57 Brass Holed Maj. Gen. W.H. Harrison Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This holed brass campaign token cataloged as WHH 1840-57 is a variety from the 1840 William Henry Harrison presidential campaign. The sequential numbering with WHH 1840-56 indicates a closely related die combination, sharing one die with the previous variety while using a different die for the other side — a common practice known as muling among campaign token manufacturers who mixed and matched available dies to create new combinations. The hole was punched for suspension as a wearable campaign badge. Harrison won the 1840 election in a landslide, carrying 234 electoral votes to Van Buren's 60, but the campaign's exuberance was short-lived. Harrison delivered the longest inaugural address in American history on a cold, wet March day and died of pneumonia just 31 days later, making him the shortest-serving president. The irony of the most heavily merchandised campaign in American history up to that point producing the briefest presidency has made Harrison campaign tokens particularly poignant collectibles. WHH 1840-57 in brass with its original suspension hole represents the material culture of a campaign that permanently changed American political practice by demonstrating the power of image, merchandise, and mass media in democratic elections.

Rarity Notes

Moderately scarce. The holed format is original and not a damage indicator. Harrison 1840 tokens are widely collected as foundational pieces of American political numismatics.

Cross References

PCGS #889150; WHH 1840-57 (DeWitt-Sullivan); William Henry Harrison 1840 campaign