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2001-842, Medal
Thomas Mundy Peterson Medal (First African-American voter)
2001-842, Medal

Thomas Mundy Peterson Medal (First African-American voter)

Date1870 (struck ca.1884)
OriginAmerica
MediumWhite metal
DimensionsDiameter: 40 mm
Credit LineGift of the Lasser family.
Object number2001-842
DescriptionObverse with a clean-shaven bust of Abraham Lincoln in profile surrounded by the legend "ABRAHAM LINCOLN". The reverse is all text, reading "PRESENTED BY CITIZENS OF PERTH AMBOY TO THOMAS PETERSON THE FIRST COLORED VOTER IN THE U.S. UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE 15TH AMENDMENT AT AN ELECTION HELD IN THAT CITY MARCH 31ST 1870."
Label TextRatified on February 3, 1870, the 15th Amendment to the Unites States Constitution effectively guaranteed the right to vote to African American men. As word spread, the news was met with great joy and eagerness in the Black community. On the last day of March 1870, Thomas Peterson of Perth Amboy, New Jersey became the first African American to cast a vote, in any election, at any level.

Perhaps it wasn’t initially understood how truly monumental Peterson’s vote in this minor local election really was. Fourteen years later it was, and some “Citizens of Perth Amboy” took up a collection and had a gold medal commemorating Peterson’s vote specially made for him. Presented with ceremony on May 30, 1884, Peterson is known to have treasured the medal and wore it for the rest of his life with pride. Colonial Williamsburg’s example is a great rarity, made of white metal for an unknown party involved with the 1884 ceremony. Today, Thomas Peterson’s original gold medal resides in the collection of Xavier University of Louisiana.
ProvenancePurchased by donor, Joseph R. Lasser at Exonumia Auction #70, The Robert Marcus Collection of Lincoln Campaign Tokens, conducted by Presidential Coin & Antique Company, Inc. at the Baltimore Convention Center Public Auction Sale: December 1, 2001.