When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
During the Civil War, William McKinley served in the same miliary unit as his superior officer, Rutherford B. Hayes, the 23rd OVI. After the war, McKinley became a congressman from NE Ohio and then served two terms as Ohio Governor, before running for president in 1896 and beating democrat William Jennings Bryan.
Since McKinley's first Vice-President, Garrett Hobart had died in office that first term, McKinley and the Convention chose the new governor of New York and Spanish American War hero, Theodore Roosevelt to be his 1900 re-election running mate. And they won again against Bryan. After McKinley died from an assassin's bullet in September 1901, Teddy took over for the rest of that second term.
Here's a nicely designed, 7/8" cello item which was likely a clothing button from the 1896 election showing McKinley and Hobart with campaign slogans relating to the tariff issue and the monetary policy. Republicans supported a currency based on gold which democrats and, particularly, their 1896 opponent, William Jennings Bryan, opposed. They wanted U.S. currency to be based on silver at a 16 to 1 ratio, thereby putting more coins in people's pockets. But the flaw in their idea was that those coins would consequently, then, be worth a lot less. And the great majority of the public just wouldn't buy that.
This back was most likely made with a small metal loop ring which went through the two holes on it, (that's gone now), so a person could use it as a clothing button to sew on one's lapel.
Look for our other McKinley and Bryan pins from the Golden Age of pinbacks for sale in our store. They make wonderful Holiday Gifts for collectors and history buffs.This is in nice condition but please look at our images to judge this for yourself so you can be happy with your purchase and may have light surface scratches as found on many older pins when tilted towards a light source.We are members of APIC and sell onlyauthentic presidential (and other collectible) material so buy with confidence. We'll be happy to combine S & H costs on multiple purchases even though says we won't. We just issue a refund for any overpayment. Shipping on this will be $5.85 carefully packed with tracking.
11893
