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Two William Jennings Bryan "Cross of Gold" Items Two William Jennings Bryan "Cross of Gold" Items.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
Two William Jennings Bryan  Cross of Gold  Items Two William Jennings Bryan  Cross of Gold  Items.
<B>Two William Jennings Bryan "Cross of Gold" Items.</B></I> On July 9, 1896, Bryan electrified the Democratic National Convention with one of the most famous political speeches of all time. The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver- an inflationary measure that would have aided the working man and the farmers burdened with debt. The speech closed with the words: "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold." Needless to say, he won the nomination. The first item in this lot is a 7/8" pinback (backpaper intact) picturing a gold cross encircled by a thorny crown and the words "No Cross of Gold - No Crown of Thorns." The second item is a 3/4" lapel stud featuring a similar graphic with the word "NO" superimposed and the "BRYAN" beneath. Both are in excellent condition.