1844 Medal DeWitt HC-1844-35 Brass Holed Henry Clay Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This holed brass campaign medal for Henry Clay from the 1844 election is cataloged as DeWitt HC-1844-35. The hole indicates this medal was worn suspended from a ribbon, chain, or pin — a standard practice for displaying political allegiance before the era of celluloid campaign buttons that began in the 1890s. Clay's 1844 campaign organized massive rallies and processions where supporters wearing medals, carrying banners, and singing campaign songs paraded through city streets. These events served the dual purpose of energizing the party faithful and intimidating political opponents with displays of numerical strength. The brass composition and holed condition of this piece suggest it was actively worn by a Clay supporter during the 1844 campaign season, making it a genuine artifact of antebellum political participation. Clay's famous letter from Alabama in July 1844, in which he attempted to soften his anti-annexation position to win Southern votes, is widely regarded as the pivotal blunder that cost him the presidency — it satisfied neither side and drove antislavery Whigs to the Liberty Party. The DeWitt HC-1844-35 catalog number places this near the top of the 1844 Clay series.

Rarity Notes

Holed brass campaign medal from 1844. DeWitt HC-1844-35. Holed for wearing. The wear and holing indicate this piece was actively used during the campaign, adding to its historical authenticity.

Cross References

PCGS #889149; DeWitt HC-1844-35; 1844 Presidential Election; Henry Clay