I have a similar that I went looking for tonight but couldn't find. Same design, layout, etc., but was a McKinley IIRC. I gathered that it came out of a set or was a giveaway as well after finding a dozen of them for sale on Ebay for cheap. Not a campaign tokin my opinion. I'll post mine when I find it. Z
Here is the Chester Arthur - Franklin mint gas station token from1969 (runs to Nixon as well as a copyright date on the folder).
The one above by @Razz looks to be from a different series, but here is the one I have that is similar in design to the OP's. First off, if these were "campaign" tokens, I don't think they would be as presumptuous as to come out and call him the 21st President BEFORE he won the election. They also wouldn't post the final date of his presidency not knowing if he would serve one term, two terms, or die in office. There were three presidents serving in 1881 from information on the 2nd token above. Mine is not McKinley, but Franklin Pierce, the 14th President. You can see the design similarities. That wouldn't exist if either of these were campaign tokens. Regrets. Nice piece, but not from the campaign. Mine isn't either. Sorry for the crappy photos. Z
Here is a full set of those @Razz posted, without the cardboard folder(s). https://www.etsy.com/listing/717130...allery-4-7&organic_search_click=1&pro=1&frs=1
Real Chester A. Arthur campaign pieces are very rare. Arthur became president after the death of James Garfield via assassination. Arthur went to the 1884 Republican National Convention as a nominal candidate, but he really didn’t have much of a chance of winning the nod. He was sick with Bright’s disease and didn’t have much energy as a result. He also had a less than sterling reputation as a “bag man,” political hack and “wire puller.” He had once been the collector at the Port of New York, which paid more than the White House. To his credit, he stepped up to the job as president and fought hard for civil service reform. I think that he is a bit underrated as a president today. Since he never ran for president, there are few items that feature only him. Here he is running for vice president in 1880 with Garfield. And here is one of the few campaign pieces that exist for him. This is only one I have seen during 35 years as a collector, and I paid well for it.
Hello I know this is an old forum but I felt like I had to share the two that I managaged to hang on to! Also interestingly enought just touching on the years of our cilvil war 1883 was the first coin in the united states that was struck with term "IN GOD WE TRUST" well rather the frirst year. I have a thing for history. best regards
