(1848) Medal DeWitt LC 1848-4 Copper Gen. Lewis Cass-Restrike Campaign

Coin Details

Description

This copper campaign medal for General Lewis Cass, cataloged as DeWitt LC 1848-4, is identified as a restrike — a later production from the original dies. Cass was the Democratic presidential nominee in 1848, a Michigan senator and former governor of Michigan Territory who had served as Secretary of War under Andrew Jackson. His campaign against Whig Zachary Taylor was complicated by the Free Soil candidacy of Martin Van Buren, which split the Democratic vote in crucial Northern states. Cass advocated "popular sovereignty" — allowing the residents of new territories to decide the slavery question for themselves — a position that pleased neither abolitionists nor Southern fire-eaters. The restrike designation indicates this copper example was produced after the original campaign run, for collectors or dealers who recognized the commercial value of political Americana. Restrike production was common in the nineteenth century, as die-sinkers retained their dies and periodically struck additional pieces to meet collector demand. The copper composition distinguishes this from any original campaign distribution pieces, which would more have been in white metal or brass for economy. Cass lost the election with 127 electoral votes to Taylor's 163 and spent the next decade in the Senate before serving as James Buchanan's Secretary of State.

Rarity Notes

Copper restrike campaign medal from 1848. DeWitt LC 1848-4. Restrikes are later productions from original dies, typically for collector demand. Cass campaign material is scarce compared to Taylor items from the same election.

Cross References

PCGS #607656; DeWitt LC 1848-4 (restrike); 1848 Presidential Election; Lewis Cass; Popular Sovereignty