BRYAN DOLLARS
1896, 1900
These medals were made by Eastern silversmiths during Presidential campaigns of 1896 and 1900. They were more dignified in tone than many contemporary pieces issued for the same purpose, as latter usually were struck in base metal and were most satirical of Bryan and his cause. These silver medals showed comparative size and ratio of a dollar struck at the then-current price of silver with what it would be like if free coinage were to rule. They are much more than mere political pieces as they bore direct reference to the silver controversy and, hence, to our national coinage. See also Part Ill for Bryan biographical sketch and story of Gold and Silver Controversy.
Photos courtesy of Heritage Galleries (HA.com)
Obv. In seven straight lines, 776 1/3 / Grains of Silver / 900/1000 Fine / The Equivalent of / One Gold Dollar / in Value / July 1896 UNIFACE.
Originals have smooth surfaces; restrikes of 1910 have matte or frosted surfaces. The words, Tiffany & Co., in small incuse letters on edge, measure 7 1/2mm. on originals; 8mm. on restrikes.
HK-777 Silver. 49mm. Schornstein 1.
HK-778 Same, but the words, Tiffany & Co. measure 13 1/2mm. Schornstein 2.
Photos courtesy of H. Joseph Levine, Presidential Coin & Antique Co. Inc.
Obv. Same as obverse of No. 777 [776 1/3 / Grains...] with differences in lettering style. UNIFACE.
No name on edge. Probably made by Tiffany & Co., these pieces were issued by E. Jaccard & Co., St. Louis, MO, jewelry firm.
HK-1010 Silver. 52mm. Schornstein 4.
Photos courtesy of Fred Holabird
Obv. In seven straight lines, 823 / Grains of Silver / 900/1000 Fine / The Equivalent of / One Gold Dollar / in Value / Sept 14 1896.
Rev. Within broad, flat circle which springs from outer rim at top, in six straight lines, Size of / Government Dollar / Containing / 412 1/2 / Grains of Silver / 900/1000 Fine; in curved line near outer rim at bottom, Tiffany & Co.
As with Nos. 777 and 778, originals have smooth surfaces; restrikes of 1910 have matte or frosted surfaces. The words, Tiffany & Co., in small incuse letters on edge, measure 7 1/2mm. on originals; 8mm. on restrikes.
HK-779 Silver. 52mm. Schornstein 3.
Photos courtesy of John Dean
Obv. In nine lines, first and last curved, others straight, A Government Dollar Contains / 412 1/2 Grains / Coin Silver 900/1000 Fine / This Piece Contains / 823 Grains Coin Silver / In Value the Equivalent of / One Gold Dollar / Sept. 16th 1896. / Gorham Mfg. Co., Silversmiths. No rim.
Rev. On rim of cartwheel, which springs from bottom edge, Size of Government Dollar Containing 412 1/2 Grains of Silver 900/1000 Fine; no rim.
HK-780 Silver. 52mm. Schornstein 6.
Photos courtesy of Tom Hoffman
Obv. In nine lines, first and last curved, others straight, A Government Dollar Contains / 412 1/2 Grains / Coin Silver 900/1000 Fine / This Piece Contains / 823 Grains Coin Silver / In Value the Equivalent of / One Gold Dollar / Sept. 16th 1896. / Gorham Mfg. Co., Silversmiths. No rim. UNIFACE.
HK-781 Silver. 52mm. Schornstein 7.
Obv. Cartwheel, springing from bottom edge, as in reverse of No. 780. No inscription. UNIFACE.
HK-1011 Silver. 52mm.
Photos courtesy of Jonathan Brecher
Obv. Same as obverse of No. 781 [A Government Dollar Contains...] but with last line polished off and horizontal line of incuse text The George H. Ford Company added below date. No rim. UNIFACE.
HK-1012 Silver. 52mm. Only three specimens known. Schornstein 9a.
Photos courtesy of Fred Holabird
Obv. Same as obverse of No. 781 [A Government Dollar Contains...] but with last line polished off and curved line of incuse text The George H. Ford Co. Silversmiths added at bottom. Varieties known with and without period after Silversmiths. No rim. UNIFACE.
HK-1012a Silver. 52mm. Schornstein 9.
Obv. In 10 straight lines, A Government Dollar / Contains / 412 1/2 Grains Coin Silver 900/1000 Fine / This Piece Contains / 870 Grains Coin Silver / In Value the Equivalent of / One Gold Dollar / July 4th 1900 / Gorham Mfg. Co. / Silversmiths; no rim.
Rev. Cartwheel and inscription on its rim same as on No. 780. (Zerbe 5); in field above wheel, in three curved lines, 412 1/2 Grains Silver 900/1000 Fine is Equal to 47 cents 4 Mills in Gold Value / 870 Grains Silver 900/1000 Fine is Equal to / 100 cents in Gold Value; no rim.
Photos courtesy of John Dean
HK-782 Silver. 52mm. Schornstein 10.
Obv. Same as reverse of No. 782 [Cartwheel and inscription]. UNIFACE.
HK-1013 Silver. 52mm. Schornstein 11.
Photos courtesy of Fred Holabird
Obv. In 13 lines, first and last curved, others straight, A Government Dollar / Contains / 412 1/2 Grains / of Silver 900/1000 Fine / This Piece of Silver / is the Size and Weight of / a Government Dollar / Containing / 412 1/2 Grains of Silver 900/1000 Fine / and its Value / July 5th 1900 / was 48 Cents / Gorham Mfg. Co. Silversmiths; no rim.
Rev. In five straight lines, Market Value / July 5th 1900--48 Cents / Coinage Value / at the Rate of 16 to 1 100 Cents / ?; no rim.
HK-783 Silver, reeded edge. 38mm. Schornstein 12.
Photos courtesy of Fred Holabird
Obv. Same as obverse of No. 783 [A Government Dollar / Contains...].
Rev. Same as reverse of No. 783 [Market Value...] but microscopic Montgomery Bros stamped in with punch below question mark. This Los Angeles firm stamped in its name and distributed a few pieces during the 1900 campaign.
HK-1014 Silver, reeded edge. 38mm. Schornstein 13.
Obv. Similar to obverse of No. 783. On No. 783, the straight lines, A Government Dollar / Containing, are as large as the curved first line, A Government Dollar. On this piece, all straight lines are same size. A Government Dollar extends closer to coin edge than Is the Size and Weight of on No. 783. Raised rim.
Rev. Same as reverse of No. 783 [Market Value...], but with raised rim.
HK-784 Silver, reeded edge. 38mm. Schornstein 14.
Photos courtesy of Tom Hoffman
Obv. In nine lines, first curved, others straight, A Government Dollar Contains / 412 1/2 Grains / Coin Silver 900/1000 Fine / This Piece Contains / 823 Grains Coin Silver / In Value the Equivalent of / One Gold Dollar / Sept. 16th 1896. / Spaulding & Co. No rim.
Rev. Same as reverse of No. 780 [Cartwheel].
HK-785 Silver. 52mm. Schornstein 16.
Photos courtesy of Heritage Galleries (HA.com)
Obv. Same as obverse of No. 785. UNIFACE [A Government Dollar Contains...].
HK-786 Silver. 52mm. Schornstein 17.
Obv. In seven straight lines, William / Jennings Bryan / "The Boy Orator / of the Platte" / Advocate of Free Silver / 1896-1900. No rim.
Rev. In six straight lines, William McKinley / 24th President of / the United States / Opponent of / Free Silver / 1896-1900. No rim.
HK-1015 Silver. 54mm. Only one specimen known.
HK-1005 HK-787 to HK-797