1864 White Metal Medal GW-724, Holed Washington & Flags-McClellan

Coin Details

Auction Record

$89 MS61 08-22-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1864 medal GW-724 in white metal with hole depicts Washington paired with flags and General George B. McClellan, the Democratic presidential candidate in 1864. McClellan ran on a platform including a negotiated end to the Civil War. The medal's pairing of Washington and McClellan served the same legitimizing function as Washington-Lincoln pairings — claiming the founder's endorsement for a contemporary figure. The hole indicates this was worn as a badge or pendant, as campaign material during the 1864 election. Political badges and tokens were a primary form of campaign material in the nineteenth century. The white metal composition and holed format suggest inexpensive mass distribution to McClellan supporters. The GW-724 catalog number places this within the Washington series, while its true significance lies in documenting the 1864 election — one of the most consequential in American history, held during the darkest period of the Civil War.

Rarity Notes

White metal, holed. Campaign material for 1864 election. McClellan campaign pieces are collected in political and Civil War numismatics.

Cross References

Musante-Baker GW-724; PCGS #883459; McClellan 1864 campaign