EmiCoins Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 I found this token in my grandpa’s collection and can’t get any info on it? Can someone please identify it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmiCoins Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 Here’s the obverse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conder101 Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 (edited) Congratulations, you have a piece of Bryan Money! During the 1896 Presidential campaign between William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley, a major issue was whether there should be free coinage of silver at the 16 to 1 ratio or to fix the country on the gold standard. Bryan favored the 16 to 1 as this would have resulted in a devaluing of the dollar allowing debtors to pay off their debts with less valuable dollars. As part of the campaign the McKinley camp/supporters issued various satirical tokens than made fun of Bryan and the 16 to 1 idea. One common feature on many of these, not all, was the inscription UNITED SNAKES OF AMERICA (making the inference that Bryan was a "snake".) Bryan Money is valuable (I would not be surprised if this piece was worth close to $100.) and there is a reference work on the subject. Unfortunate the book is costly and seldom available and I do not have a copy of it. There is an earlier much less complete work that is somewhat more available in reprint form, but alas I do not have it either. But at least you know what it is even if I couldn't give you any more detailed information. If you are or know someong who is a member of the ANA they most likely have the books in their library available for lending. Edited August 15, 2019 by Conder101 thebeav 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmiCoins Posted August 15, 2019 Author Share Posted August 15, 2019 Wow! I’ve always been interested in those! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
