William Jennings Bryan: A 1900-dated Silver Ingot by Gorham Silversmiths.
A solid silver ingot size 1.625 x 0.687. One side reads: “16 to 1” in high-relief and “900 fine Good Enough For Our Fathers Good Enough For Us” incused along with eagle logo and 1900 date. Other side: “‘The Party Stands Where It Did In 1896 On The Money Question’ – William Jennings Bryan Zanesville, Ohio September 4, 1900” incused. “412 ½ g t” on one end.
A product of the Gorham Manufacturing Company, this 16 to 1 ingot favors the candidacy of William Jennings Bryan who favored a bimetallic economic standard with a silver-to-gold ratio of 16 to 1. His opponent in the 1900 Presidential race, William McKinley, was a proponent of the gold standard that was in effect since 1873 and favored big business. Light granularity on the surfaces of this piece that was cast in coin silver is a byproduct of the manufacturing method.
William Jennings Bryan was thrice the Democratic candidate in national elections, losing in 1896, 1900, and 1908 to Republican opponents. S-15 is one of the relatively few unabashedly pro-Bryan varieties. Pedigrees are difficult to trace on the few examples, which exhibit identical casting depressions.
Some have been holdered by NGC.
Approximately 5-6 examples are known to exist.
The most recent Heritage Auction realized a price of $8,125.
[12/2023] https://historical.ha.com/itm/political/3d-and-other-display-1896-present-/william-jennings-bryan-a-1900-dated-silver-ingot-by-gorham-silversmiths/a/32162-61177.s ($8,125)
The Gorham Manufacturing Company was one of the largest[1] American manufacturers of sterling and silverplate and a foundry for bronze sculpture.[2]
During the heyday of American silver manufacturing, approximately 1850–1940, Gorham was highly influential. William Christmas Codman, one of Gorham’s most noted designers, created the Chantilly design in 1895, which has become the most famous of Gorham’s flatware patterns. The company has produced matching hollowware in both sterling and silverplate.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorham_Manufacturing_Company