|
This page may contain links that result in small commissions to keep this free site up and running.
Welcome Guest! Registering and/or logging in will remove the anchor (bottom) ads. It's Free!
To participate in the forum you must log in or register. | Author |
 Replies: 9 / Views: 11,235 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
731 Posts |
.jpg)
Starting in the early and middle part of the 19th century, Anti-Liquor sentiments became quite predominant in the United States. Known as the 'Temperance Movement', it was believed that the consumption of alcohol was the cause for many of the ills of society [at the time]. More fundamentally, it was believed that in order for man to achieve true liberation and freedom, the consumption of alcohol as a beverage would have to be banished from society.
Pictured below is an 1832 Taunton Cold Water Army token³ from my cabinet. I estimate its condition at Choice Fine±.
1832 Taunton Cold Water Army, Pledge Token±, Gilt Brass - Fine³]
It was for these idealistic reasons that the Temperance Movement grew in popularity. State by state, as the movement flourished and gained political clout, alcoholic beverages were banned and prohibited. On April 9th 1855 New York State passed its own version of Prohibition¹.
Pictured below is a token from my cabinet, struck to commemorate the passage of New York State's Prohibition law:
c.1856 New York State Commemorative - Choice Very Fine†
Immediately following passage of these various state laws, many of these legislative acts were challenged in courts. They were considered too controversial and were viewed as infringements on individual personal liberties. Very quickly thereafter, one-by-one and state-by-state, the laws were deemed unconstitutional. In New York, their Prohibition law was struck down by its Supreme Court in that same year².
With such defeats occurring throughout the various states, Temperance leagues continued to flourish, albeit without state laws in their corner.
Illustration from The Cold Water Army, Thomas P. Hunt, 1841.
Known collectively as the "Cold Water Army," Temperance leagues throughout the United States were quite aggressive in their efforts to recruit new members. They organized gatherings, presented lectures, disseminated images, and published brochures to market their movement. Living testimonies were oftentimes used, where various people whose lives were ruined by alcohol would tell their story. New members would sign a 'Pledge', which typically meant a vow of total abstinence to the use of alcohol as a beverage. Many of these various Temperance organizations issued tokens after they took such vows. Pictured below is one such token³ from my cabinet, estimated at Fine grade±.
c.1882 Man at Well, Temperance Token, Gilt Brass - Very Good
It wasn't until passage of the 18th Amendment‡ that the constitutionality of Prohibition was Federally addressed: Alcohol was banned nationwide. Quickly thereafter, it became quite apparent that the lofty views held by the Temperance Movement were quite Utopian. Indeed, many argue the Amendment itself made matters worse.
On December 5th 1933 the 21st Amendment was ratified. Its passing repealed the 18th Amendment. Most ironically, it was the 21st Amendment (Section 2)‡ which finally addressed the constitutionality of state liquor laws which started State controversies some 80 years prior; It inured to the States such rights to decide, determine, define, and legislate the legality of alcohol within each of the states therein.
Thanks,
- Cheetah
________________________
† Although not precisely known, the specimen was struck sometime shortly before 1856-1857, as such a specimen is described in the Catalogue of New York State Library: 1856 Maps, Manuscripts, Engravings, Coins, etc, published in 1857.
‡For more information, see 18th Amendment: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/...mendment18/; 21st Amendment (Section 2): http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/...amendment21/
± Specimens photographed using axial lighting, with glass plate angled at 45 degrees.
¹ 'An Act for the Prevention of Intemperance, Pauperism, and Crime', New York Times, April 6, 1855
² See Decision of the Supreme Court of the Second Judicial District of the State of New York, The Unconstitutionality of the Prohibitory Liquor Law Confirmed, pg.145, 1855
³ Yearbook 1918-1919-1920-1921, The New York Numismatic Club, pgs.61-66, ©1922
Edited by CheetahCats
03/04/2011 09:20 am
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 Canada
9862 Posts |
Nice tokens,interesting article,thank you.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
565 Posts |
Very interesting! Thank you.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2448 Posts |
I really liked your article. Thanks and if we ever meet at a coin show, I'll buy you a drink.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
117 Posts |
Thanks CheetahCats, I always enjoy the history lessons.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
Another fine posting, Cheetah. These historic, temperance tokens can often be had for a modest price, $10 or less. I can't help but wonder if these might have been used as poker chips or card counters in saloons at times. The tipplers then wouldn't have had to worry about keeping real money on the table ...
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
731 Posts |
Quote:
Another fine posting, Cheetah. These historic, temperance tokens can often be had for a modest price, $10 or less. I can't help but wonder if these might have been used as poker chips or card counters in saloons at times. The tipplers then wouldn't have had to worry about keeping real money on the table ... Thanks. Quite possible, indeed. The NYSL-133 specimen is the same size as the 1835 'Modified' and onward Large Cent (27.5mm). I'm quite sure these and other varieties were passed in commerce as cents as well. Like other exonumia, demand for these have increased in recent years. Over time, I expect pricing to continue increasing. Edited by CheetahCats
03/07/2011 12:48 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2490 Posts |
Won this recently,  Medallion awarded by the army temperance association for 6 months of abstinence from drink, known as the Cruikshank Cross. It weighs approx 15g and measures 4cm across.. Contemporary British attempt to ward off the curse of the demon drink |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
731 Posts |
Quote:
Medallion awarded by the army temperance association for 6 months of abstinence from drink, known as the Cruikshank Cross. It weighs approx 15g and measures 4cm across..
Contemporary British attempt to ward off the curse of the demon drink Terrific British specimen! The Temperance movement was also quite popular during that era among many countries, including Britain, France, and Canada. |
|
New Member
United States
3 Posts |
Hello,
I am new to this coin forum! I came across a large binder of a variety of different tokens/medals/bank notes/military ribbons etc in my grandparents attic and I am trying to do my best to learn about them all. I remember my grandfather being a huge collecter and I want to carry on the tradition. I have one of these termperance tokens listed above. My grandpa wrote on the sleeve "New York, 1855" "SPL. Brass", silver plated brass? So mine is different looking than the one above that CheetahCats put up because it's got this silver coloring. It also says #765. How would my grandfather have known what number it is? Thanks for any input : )
Cheers,
OrBe.
|
| |
Replies: 9 / Views: 11,235 |
|
To participate in the forum you must log in or register.
Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use
|
| Coin Community Forum |
© 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Forums |
| It took 0.27 seconds to rattle this change. |
 |
|
| |
| |
Posted 03/04/2011 10:14 am
