Collection Highlights
Keg with stand from Erie Canal celebration
ca. 1825
X.48
Wood, metal, paint
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Breckinridge campaign medal
Title
Breckinridge campaign medal
Date
c. 1856
Medium
White metal
Dimensions
diameter: 1 13/16 in. ( 4.6 cm )
Description
White metal struck medal with obverse showing nude bust of Washington facing left with legend comprised of two concentric lines of text: "THE UNION MUST & SHALL BE PRESERVED/JACKSON/UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL/1856." Reverse depicts running deer facing right with stars scattered around; cannon with date "1856" beneath; legend below, center: "-AND-/BRECKINRIDGE."
Object Number
INV.3282
Marks
Inscription: obverse, below bust truncation, at center: "KEY"
Gallery Label
John C. Breckinridge (1821-1875), a Kentucky lawyer, ran successfully on the Democratic ticket as James Buchanan's Vice Presidential candidate in 1856. The buck and cannon represented on this medal refer to the President. An unsuccessful candidate for President in 1860, Breckinridge served as a General in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
