© tpal1961 (CC BY)
© tpal1961 (CC BY)
Temperance Pledge Rochester, New York ND
| Gold plated brass | 4.87 g | 25 mm |
| Location | United States |
|---|---|
| Period | Federal republic (1776-date) |
| Type | Medals › Membership medals |
| Years | 1840-1850 |
| Composition | Gold plated brass |
| Weight | 4.87 g |
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Thickness | 1.43 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-11-13 |
| Numista | N#345946 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Denticles inside of rim. Legend fllows outer perimeter. Addition circle at 18mm.% lines and makers initials stacked in center. Top and bottom line are arched.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
PLEDGED TO USE NO INTOXICATING DRINK AS A BEVERAGE
TEMPERANCE
LEADS TO
HEALTH WEALTH
HAPPINESS
AND LONG LIFE
A.W.R.
Edge
Reeded
Comment
This is one in a set of medals sold by General Ashbel Wells Riley (A. W. R.) [1795-1888] of Rochester, New York to help support his travels as a lecturer for the temperance movement in the 1840s. The legend and device on the obverse are from “The Old Oaken Bucket” a poem written in 1817 by Samuel Woodworth which rhapsodizes about the cool, pure water from the well on the farm he grew up on. This cool, pure water became a symbol in the temperance movement contrasted to the evils of intoxicating beverages.An excellent reference for the temperance medals of General Riley is: Radnich, Spencer I Jr, 2004 October. The Old Oaken Bucket. TAMS Journal, Volume 44, Issue 5, Pages 103 & 110-139. This is available through the Newman Numismatic Portal.
General Ashbel Wells Riley, Courtesy of the Rochester Historical Society
