The “Montana Silver Dollar Club” pin is a classic in the hobby. I obtained my first at an antique show in my childhood. When I brought it to my first APIC show it created quite a stir; unfortunately, I was naive and traded it away far below its market value. There have been many speculations as to its origin and year of manufacture. It carries a Chicago union bug but has no maker identification. At its market zenith it sold in excess of $2000 now it has settled in the $500-600 range. Given the list of coat tail candidates, it is my opinion this is from the “off cycle” campaign of 1934. Senator Thomas Walsh had recently died so both senate seats and both house seats needed to be filled. James Murray ran to fill the remainder of Walsh’s seat and Burton Wheeler was running for re-election. Both Roy Ayers and Joseph Monaghan were running for re-election to their congressional seats that year. “Club” pins are known for Wheeler and Ayers but these do not appear to be from the same manufacturer or of the same style but the Murray pictured below seems to have been ordered with the FDR though in my opinion is more difficult to find.
