1897-1901 William McKinley Inaugural Badge. Brass Shell. Extremely Fine.
130 mm. Gold imprint red-white-blue ribbon and brass eagle header. Obv: Frock-coated McKinley facing left with legend MAJ WM MCKINLEY INAUGURATED PRESIDENT MAR 4TH 1897. Rev: White cardboard circle bears black sketch of wasp-waisted woman, peripheral inscriptions THE GOWN MRS. MCKINLEY WILL WEAR AT HER HUSBAND'S INAUGURATION above, COPYRIGHTED 1897 BY W. BROWN 22 ANN ST. N.Y. CITY. below. The newer ribbon recycles the 1897 pendant with its inscription, 4 - 4/ FOUR YEARS / MORE / WM. McKINLEY / SECOND / INAUGURATION/ MARCH 4TH / 1901 / TEDDY OUR NEXT CHOICE. The brass shell is delightfully crude, cardboard is damaged on the woman's face. Ribbon is torn with its gold imprint somewhat uneven. This is nonetheless a dramatic exhibit item.
From our (Coin Galleries') sale of April 2006, lot 954.

Estimate: $750