(1912) Token DeLorey-67 Aluminum T. Elder-Wilson Said of Bryan

Coin Details

Description

These tokens (DeLorey-67) were issued by Thomas L. Elder during the 1912 presidential election and reference Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan. Elder frequently produced tokens commenting on political events, combining his numismatic business with political satire. The 1912 election featured a four-way race between Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Eugene Debs, providing ample material for Elder's politically themed store cards. This aluminum token is a scarce variant. The aluminum composition makes this a technologically noteworthy piece. In this era, aluminum production remained costly, and tokens struck in the metal were novelties that attracted attention through their unusual lightness.. Thomas L. Elder (Wilson / Bryan theme) issued 2 known token varieties. Cataloged as DeLorey-67. Surviving specimens in higher grades are scarce, as most tokens saw extensive commercial use before being saved. Merchant store cards represent one of the most diverse collecting fields in American numismatics, spanning hundreds of merchants across dozens of states.

Rarity Notes

Aluminum tokens from this period are relatively scarce, as aluminum remained an expensive metal until large-scale electrolytic refining became common. Thomas L. Elder (Wilson / Bryan theme) issued 2 known token varieties.

Cross References

DeLorey-67