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MEDAL
[Personal Symbol]


Accession Number: 2019.40.1

Physical Description: Two-sided silver medal showing symbolism and acronyms associated with the Ku Klux Klan. Marks on the medal indicate that it dates to around 1922 and was used by a Klansman living in Kansas or Missouri. The first Klan was founded in 1866, gained popularity in Southern states, and died out in the early 1870s due to federal law enforcement. Inspired by the film "Birth of a Nation", William Simmons established the second Klan in 1915. Its membership grew to record numbers, in part because of increased interest and recruitment in the Midwest and West. This medal was produced during that time period. Membership in the second Klan rapidly declined in the late 1920s.

History of Object: Medal was donated anonimously. Marks on the medal indicate that it dates to around 1922 and was used by a Klansman living in Kansas or Missouri. The first Klan was founded in 1866, gained popularity in Southern states, and died out in the early 1870s due to federal law enforcement. Inspired by the film Birth of a Nation, William Simmons established the second Klan in 1915. Its membership grew to record numbers, in part because of increased interest and recruitment in the Midwest and West. This medal was produced during that time period. Membership in the second Klan rapidly declined in the late 1920s.

Date: 1922

Dimensions (in cm): 3.30 (H) 3.30 (W) 0.20 (D)

Marks/Inscriptions: [scroll side] ONE COUNTRY ONE FLAG ONE LANGUAGE / O S F K / CONSTITUTION / OF THE / UNITED STATES / HOLY / BIBLE / 1922 // [square side, top edge outside square] SYMWAO // [square side, right edge outside square] 1922 // [square side, bottom edge outside square] MOKANA // [square side, left edge outside square] 1866-1915 // [square side, top edge inside square] A F.B.P. K / NON SILBA // [square side, bottom edge inside square] SFD ANTHAR / I L.F.E. A //

Index Terms

Associations and Subjects

    Theme/topic: White supremacy movements
    Theme/topic: Racism
    Theme/topic: Jewish Identity, Issues and Anti-Semitism in America
    Theme/topic: Hate groups
    Business / Organization: Ku Klux Klan (1915- )

Creators and Contributors

    Ku Klux Klan

Status: Cataloged

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