1881 Medal James A. Garfield Bronze 38mm

Coin Details

Description

This 1881 bronze medal at 38mm honors President James A. Garfield, a memorial following his assassination on September 19, 1881. Garfield was shot July 2 by Charles Guiteau and lingered eleven weeks. His death prompted national mourning and numerous memorial medals. The assassination led directly to the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883. The 38mm bronze format was standard for mass-produced commemoratives. Commemorative medals serve as primary historical documents, recording events and honoring individuals in a format that was often produced closer to the actual occurrence than published histories or official records. Cross-referencing medal designs with contemporary photographs, newspaper accounts, and organizational records reveals the historical contexts that generated demand for specific commemorative pieces. Garfield memorial medals document the immediate response to the loss of a popular president.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Garfield memorial medal, bronze 38mm, 1881.

Cross References

PCGS #887489; James A. Garfield; Memorial; Bronze 38mm; 1881