I bought a couple of Bryan "Dimes" from a seller of political stuff (not my thing) on the bay, I just think this is neat, but I don't know anything about it, my research indicates it relates to the successful McKinley presidential campaign in 1896 in which a big issue was reform of the monetary system and the ongoing economic depression. Look at the list on this thing, that's what sold me, "BLUSTER" "FREE WOOL", lol, I think it's pretty fascinating. I paid $90 for it, I hope it's authentic and that I didn't overpay. Opinions, insights and information requested from the smart crowd! (don't be modest!) (fine, all opinions welcome )
It looks like a real token. But, I don't believe that it is silver. Most political tokens were made of base metals. Copper, Bronze etc. @johnmilton
That piece is genuine. It is listed in the Schornstein reference book as # 337. He says that it is very rare, which is probably true, but he says that about a lot of these pieces. It made of what they call type metal, which is mostly lead. Here is one that expresses the same ideas. This has traces of aluminium paint on it which would have made it look more like silver. This one has edge lettering "VA BERRY MARION O"
The goal for many of these pieces was to depict Bryan and most of his supports has a bunch of boobs who were not very bright. Here's a classic image of Bryan that they issued on a button and a large cast token. The "other 47 cents" comment refers to the concept that a government silver dollar only had 53 cents worth of silver in it.
