© 2003 Marni Landes.

Medalets

Medalets are coin-shaped and sized objects (small medals). The coin hobby has defined pieces larger than 1 ¾ inches as medals and larger than 3 inches as medallions. Since most of the political coin-like memorabilia is less than an inch and three quarters, the entire category has come to be known as medalets. They pre-date the beginning of politics in the United States and were the most common form of political memorabilia in the nineteenth century. With the popularity of celluloid buttons, they became rarely used in the twentieth century. Medalets were often manufactured with a small hole towards one edge so that they could be worn on a necklace, bracelet, or attached to a ribbon.

Garfield Medalet, 1880

Abraham Lincoln medalet, 1860

Abraham Lincoln memorial medalet, 1865