(1899) Brass Token Rulau Scr-4, Admiral George Dewey

Coin Details

Description

Brass commemorative token honoring Admiral George Dewey, hero of the Battle of Manila Bay, 1899. Dewey's decisive victory on May 1, 1898, destroyed the Spanish Pacific fleet and made the Philippines an American possession. Dewey became the most celebrated American military hero since Ulysses S. Grant, and a flood of commemorative medals, tokens, and memorabilia appeared in 1898-1899. This token capitalizes on the intense Dewey fever that swept the nation. Dewey was even briefly considered as a presidential candidate in 1900. Brass, 25mm. The 1880s and 1890s saw merchant tokens evolve into miniature advertisements, reflecting the era's growing sophistication in commercial promotion and brand-building techniques. Cataloged in Robert Rulau's "Standard Catalog of United States Tokens 1700-1900," the definitive reference for American merchant and advertising tokens. The market for pre-1900 American tokens has strengthened as collectors appreciate the historical narratives embedded in these merchant-issued pieces.

Rarity Notes

Common among Dewey commemoratives generally, but the specific Scr-4 Rulau attribution is scarce. The enormous popularity of Admiral Dewey generated many commemorative pieces in 1898-1899. Collected by Spanish-American War enthusiasts, naval history specialists, and political token collectors.

Cross References

Rulau Scr-4; PCGS #902354