Medals, badges, and ribbons are an integral part of conventions. Over the years, they’ve been issued by countless fraternal, patriotic, political, professional, and other types of organizations. This includes our own American Numismatic Association, which still issues one each year for the World’s Fair of Money®. In some cases, attendees must wear a badge to gain admission to events, but even if that isn’t required, many people still enjoy wearing them.
Elaborate Badge
Some badges are plain and utilitarian. However, one issued in 1912 for the North West Mining Convention certainly doesn’t fall into that category. The top pinback section is struck in copper in the shape of a mule facing right. The animal carries mining implements on its back, including a box labeled DYNAMITE. The name of the event appears on the ground around the animal’s legs.
The bottom section is brass with a silver wash and is suspended by two chains. Its irregular shape incorporates a crossed shovel and pick. On a tablet in small letters is REPRESENTING/ROCKY MOUNTAIN/& PACIFIC STATES /PROVINCES/&/TERRITORIES. Below that, in large letters, is SPOKANE/FEB. 15-17/1912. The overall length of the badge, including the chains, is 92mm, and the back is blank except for the die-sinker’s signature, THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO./NEWARK. N.J., that appears on the bottom section.
According to its website, the Northwest Mining Association was established in Spokane, Washington, in 1895 “as a reaction to the encroachments of the railroad land grants upon the mineral lands in the Pacific Northwest.” The group’s first convention was held the following year in Spokane. It was very successful, and it became an annual event. While I haven’t seen badges from other years, I would be surprised if they weren’t issued. The top part of the 1912 badge isn’t dated, possibly so the die used to strike it could be used in other years. This offers a possible explanation for why different metals were used to strike the top and bottom pieces.
Convention Activities
The Spokane Hotel was named as the convention site. But it was announced that the reception committee would be located at the nearby Coeur d’Alene Hotel, where delegates could register. Other hotels in the area were used for some featured events and to provide additional accommodations for attendees. A spacious storeroom, conveniently located near the hotels, housed large displays of mine products, new mining machinery, and other equipment.
An article headlined “Gold Nuggets To Be Mine Display” in the February 14 issue of the Spokane Chronicle newspaper announced that $10,000 worth of nuggets from Siskiyou County, California, would be exhibited at the convention. The featured item was described as a “piece of quartz weighing 11 pounds 4 ounces, which contains $900 worth of gold.” The article mentioned that other pieces in the exhibit would be valued between 10 cents and $250.
Interesting Talks
The association passed several resolutions during the business sessions, and presenters gave speeches that you’d expect to hear at this type of convention. However, one of the talks probably came as a surprise. It was delivered by A.H. Hanscom, an 80-year-old man who mined in Idaho from 1862 to 1887, and later on the Columbia River. He related that when he first started prospecting, he would carry as much as 150 pounds up the sides of mountains. “I don’t believe I would be able to carry quite that much now,” he added.
It wasn’t all work and no play for the delegates. On February 17, about 400 men attended a smoker hosted by the stock exchange at the Spokane Hotel. This event proved to be one of the convention’s most popular. The room had been decorated to resemble a typical early mining saloon, complete with roulette and stud poker tables, and sawdust on the floor. At the Hell and Blazes Saloon, “Dynermite Rey-Eye” was available for “two bits a throw.” The entertainment also included a vaudeville program and music, both of which were well received.
Disappearing Silver
An interesting resolution regarding the transportation of United States coins was adopted at the convention. It states:
“The people of the western and middle western states for a great many years have been using silver dollars as a circulating medium, and have become accustomed to their use in making in their business transactions, preferring the silver dollar to $1 and $2 paper certificates.”
It also related that in previous years, the banks had been able to obtain these coins without paying a premium for transporting them. The government’s policy had changed, and an $8 fee was charged for each 1,000 silver dollars shipped. Because of this, western banks had stopped ordering them, and the coins were starting to disappear from circulation. The resolution pointed out that the shipping charge not only inconvenienced those living in the West but also “amounts to a gross discrimination against the use of silver as money in favor of paper.”
While many older convention badges such as this are quite rare, they aren’t popular collectibles. They are primarily of interest to topical collectors and those collecting items from a certain location. Thus, prices are generally modest. As is the case with many types of tokens and medals, they are much harder to locate than to pay for.
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A version of this article appears in the March 2024 issue of The Numismatist (money.org).