"...one of the finest artistic efforts ever struck at the mint"
jonathanb
Posts: 3,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was going to wait for a good excuse to post this, but I've had this picture on my desktop for the past few days, and I just can't stop looking at it...
Julian PR-12 is the large-size (76 mm) presidential medal for Abraham Lincoln. It was restruck in the zillions during the 20th century in the crappy yellow bronze that the US Mint used at the time. I've had a restrike for a while. I picked it up in some bulk lot. It's nothing special.
That said, there is comment in Julian's book on US Mint medals. At the end of the discussion for PR-12, Julian wrote:
"Some numismatists, including the author of this work, consider the obverse of the Lincoln medal to be one of the finest artistic efforts ever struck at the mint."
I never understood that comment.
I just bought a specimen that isn't struck in crappy yellow bronze.
Now I understand.
Julian PR-12 is the large-size (76 mm) presidential medal for Abraham Lincoln. It was restruck in the zillions during the 20th century in the crappy yellow bronze that the US Mint used at the time. I've had a restrike for a while. I picked it up in some bulk lot. It's nothing special.
That said, there is comment in Julian's book on US Mint medals. At the end of the discussion for PR-12, Julian wrote:
"Some numismatists, including the author of this work, consider the obverse of the Lincoln medal to be one of the finest artistic efforts ever struck at the mint."
I never understood that comment.
I just bought a specimen that isn't struck in crappy yellow bronze.
Now I understand.
0
Comments
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
Seriously, that is a very artistic portrait. High relief is a good thing.
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I agree!
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http://catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=10722&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10196
<< <i>Here is an example of the piece in color. >>
Acutally, my picture is in color also. There were 38 struck in aluminum in 1892-1893, at a period when aluminum was just becoming economical for use like this (think about some of the excellent World's Coumbian Exposition pieces posted by tmot and madmarty). Mine weighs 63.8 grams. I assume that BillJones's weighs 100+ grams.
<< <i>I would like to buy one myself, where did you buy it from? >>
Ambro51 posted a link to the Mint website for a modern one. If you're patient, you can probably find one on eBay yin the $20 range (I checked last night, and there weren't any listed, which is a little unusual).
19th century bronze pieces with reflective surfaces (like the one posted by BillJones) are somewhat rarer. I have 6 auction records in the past 2 years, at prices ranging from under $300 to over $800.
If you want an aluminum piece like mine, I'm afraid you're out of luck. I only have a single auction record for an aluminum piece, in the monumental 1984 Dreyfuss sale. That one was unplated, so I don't know if it is the same as mine or a different specimen. (If anyone knows of other auction appearances, I'd love to hear about them). In any case, with only 38 struck there aren't too many that were ever out there, and I'm guessing that a lot of them have been mishandled over the years.
As several people have commented, the relief is amazing. Here is a side view looking down from 12:00:
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
That piece is amazing and a true work of art!
-Paul
BTW to put things in context, I paid $277 late last year for the bronze medal I posted earlier in this thread.
<< <i>[If you want an aluminum piece like mine, I'm afraid you're out of luck. I only have a single auction record for an aluminum piece, in the monumental 1984 Dreyfuss sale. That one was unplated, so I don't know if it is the same as mine or a different specimen. (If anyone knows of other auction appearances, I'd love to hear about them). >>
The Dreyfuss specimen reappeared in B&M's sale of the Rogers M Fred collection, lot 1283 graded PF-65 (Nov. 1995). It sold for $522.50. It's not a medal I've been tracking, so I don't have any other records.
Ed. S.
(EJS)
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com
True art.
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<< <i>
Great pic and illustration or high relief.