Moose head (Progressive mascot) and the legend, FOUNDER 1912, in raised letters.

Formed by liberals who bolted the Republican Party when it renominated William Howard Taft, despite a clear victory by Theodore Roosevelt in the primaries, the Progressive Party became the vehicle for Roosevelt's candidacy. While campaigning in Milwaukee, TR was shot by an assassin. With the bullet lodged in his chest, he proceeded to give a speech, proclaiming that "it took more than that to kill a Bull Moose." The animal became the mascot of the party, which had these studs issued for its founding members.