Warren G. Harding Campaign Button Value Guide

The 1920 Warren G. Harding campaign button is a quintessential piece of American political ephemera from the 'Return to Normalcy' era. These celluloid-covered metal discs represent a pivotal moment in 20th-century electioneering, serving as mass-produced symbols of the first presidential election where women held the right to vote nationwide.

What Is Warren G. Harding Campaign Button Worth?

The typical price range for Warren G. Harding Campaign Button is $40 - $60 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the celluloid surface, specifically looking for the absence of 'foxing' (brown spots), cracks, or yellowing.
• Presence of original back papers or manufacturer inserts which can significantly increase the item's desirability.
• Rarity of the specific design, as standard portrait buttons are common while those featuring unique slogans or local endorsements command higher prices.
• Physical integrity of the pinback, ensuring the metal is not heavily rusted and the pin remains securely attached.

How to Identify Warren G. Harding Campaign Button?

• Check for a high-quality lithographed portrait of Harding, often accompanied by running mate Calvin Coolidge or specific 1920 slogans.
• Examine the construction for a celluloid-covered metal disc with a functional pinback mechanism typical of early 20th-century manufacturing.
• Look for a manufacturer's backprint or 'union bug' on the edge or reverse, which often identifies established period makers like Whitehead & Hoag.
• Verify the materials consist of a paper graphic layer pressed under a clear celluloid sheet over a metal base.

History of Warren G. Harding Campaign Button

Campaign buttons like this became popular in US elections in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as inexpensive, mass-produced souvenirs and political advertising. Candidates’ portraits and slogans were printed on tin or celluloid-covered metal discs with a pinback. Warren G. Harding ran for president in 1920 and campaign buttons from that election are collectible pieces of political ephemera reflecting early 20th century electioneering and graphic styles.