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 Replies: 12 / Views: 4,409 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
Hi, The attached photos of this copper piece show one of the largest, thickest and heaviest tokens/images of Abe Lincoln that I have ever seen on a round piece of token-type metal: a) thickness at highest(hair above right ear) point: 4.72 mm b) diameter: 43 mm c) weight: 30 g. I would like to know how to classify and evaluate this token for its retail value but have been unable to locate this item anywhere on the Internet or in the library. I would also like to know what the handwriting states to the left and to the right adjacent to the neck line. Please opine on the above statements. Thanks, mdpmedia   |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3546 Posts |
Does anyone have any suggestions insofar as a place on the web that could at least serve as a source for similarly-fabricated tokens?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
Can't seem to find other examples of this medal out there either. The rough area surrounding the center roundel makes me wonder if the design was not yet completed, and this was cast as an intermediate stage. That might suggest that there never was a final stage put into production. Below the bust we can see the facsimile of his well-known "A. Lincoln" signature; fair to assume the facsimile handwriting to either side of the bust is a quote. Lincoln rivals Oscar Wilde for short quotes that have been preserved for all time, but I think you'll agree that the one that fits best in the space provided is: "With malice toward none, with charity for all."
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36491 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
It's been five years since I checked on this token through this thread: still no answers from other sources as well.
Please provide any newly discovered information that could possibly assist me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4409 Posts |
I think I have an answer for this inquiry. The obverse is found on the Hall of Fame of Great Americans produced by Medallic Art Company in 1963.  I have found the reverse of this piece is found on the Abraham Lincoln Sesquicentennial 1809-1959 which can be seen in this ebay listing 123113223295With this information provided, I suspect it is some sort of trial or die set up piece. As for a retail value, I would guess its value is under $20. -MV |
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Valued Member
United States
324 Posts |
Where did you get or buy this token? That might help us determine some things. The design makes me suspect it was offered as a souvenir many years ago that could be purchased when you visit the boyhood cabin in Hodgenville, Ky. I think it worth more than $20 because it is too scarce for that low amount. Probably worth more than $50 to a Lincoln collector.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
I shot an email off to http://www.medallic.com/index.php for price & availability for this exact token. The company is very impressive from the looks of their website. I have always cherished this token because of the exquisite detail shown in Lincoln's significantly raised obverse bust. Believe it or not this is my favorite coin or token; it's just so unique and no one has ever seen it before including the old timers that have worked at the Lincoln's Birthplace Museum all of their adult lives. I traded some calls and texts with their gift shop earlier this week: http://www.Lincolnmuseum-ky.org/ On a side note I hiked the complete 'Lincoln Heritage Trail' en route to earning my Eagle Scout. I would highly recommend visiting this historic site for both young and old folks: http://abeLincoln.tours/ |
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Valued Member
United States
324 Posts |
You forgot to answer my question in the first sentence. PLease look at that again. If you bought it off ebay where was it shipped from? Thanks... Edited by BluegrassRiver
05/11/2018 9:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
Quote:
...my question in the first sentence. I picked up this token at a yard sale a few years back. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
I like to revive this thread at least every three years or so in hopes that someone might know the origin of this 'exact' coin. I've followed up on all of the leads.
I have a prospect that would pay very respectable $s but demands something exact to compare it with. Someone must have taken some time and $s to create a die for this and producing only a handful seems highly unlikely.
Keep the guesses coming.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
You're likely already aware, but Anthony de Francisci is the designer/sculptor for the obverse (Lincoln's portrait). Quote:
... some time and $s to create a die for this and producing only a handful seems highly unlikely. I disagree. As the obverse was used on the Hall of Fame for Great Americans at NYU medal, we know that the obverse die was created for another purpose and that many of them were produced - costs recovered. Reusing a die is not a significant expense. The simplicity and rudimentary nature of the reverse suggests to me that a) de Francisci had nothing to do with it, and b) it was created at low cost by a "staff" artist/medalist, likely as an "in-house" assignment. To me, the medal gives the appearance of being a salesman's sample - quite possibly for Medallic Art Company - vs. an issued medal. The fact that other examples have not been posted on the internet and found by you after several years of searching also points to the piece not being a commercially-available medal. Lincoln exonumia is very popular, if this medal was offered for sale in the early- to mid-1960s, it seems likely that evidence of other examples would have been located by now - not to mention press releases, advertisements, etc. Just my thoughts, your mileage may vary. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
Quote:
I disagree. Thanks com, you brought up some useful data and a valid perspective. I did just learn about Francisci from you for the first time I'll probably sell it on CCF when I get tired of looking at it but even after ten years I reminisce that it's still a decent yard sale pick. More than likely an impulse buyer will cough up the money since it is truly one of a kind and still in good shape etc. |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 4,409 |
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Posted 11/04/2013 11:52 am
