These are general issue coins. An uncirculated one might sell for $2 at a coin shop. One that you get in your change is worth $1.
The Ostend Manifesto of 1854 is your answer. Buchanan helped to write it while he was serving as US Minister to Great Britain under President Pierce.
The are cousins by james'mothers side of the family
Buchanan was last national candidate nominated by his Democratic party. Before the next election they split over slavery and nominated two candidates. The modern Democratic party formed after the Civil War.
Because it allowed him to avoid being tainted.
President Buchanan made the stand that no state had the right to secede the Union. Even though this was the case, the federal government did not have the authority to stop a state from doing so.
It's possible that Victor could have been President Buchanan's uncle.
He was US minister to Russia from 1832-1833.
James Buchanan was not a member of the Whig Party.