1. Category:
  2. Three-dimensional Objects (856)

The President of the U. S. 1861 medal

Creator:
S. D. Childs & Co.
Location:
Illinois, Chicago
Origin Date:
1860-1861
Materials:
metal
Measurements:
overall: 1 9/16 in diameter
Item ID:
71.2009.082.0867
Holding Institution:
Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
Available for Viewing:
No
Category:
Three-dimensional Objects

Description

This 41mm medal was originally struck in honor of the first inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln on March 4, 1861. After the original reverse die broke, a new reverse die was made with slight differences in the image and more medals were then struck in various metals as collector items according to a note in the J. Doyle DeWitt medallic catalog. This medal is a copper-coated pewter. The obverse features a left profile of a beardless Abraham Lincoln in the center. The title placed around the edge reads "The President of the U. S. 1861." Just below the edge of the image is "Childs, Chicago." Following the curve at the bottom of the medal is "Copyright secured." The reverse features an image of a younger Abraham Lincoln with a maul raised over his head ready to split the log in front of him. An axe is resting against the split rail fence beside him with the sun rising in the background. At the top of the reverse the title "The Rail Splitter of 1830" follow the medal's edge. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum