(1864) Bronze Medal J-PR-31, Restrike Washington-Lincoln

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 MS62 11-09-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

This bronze restrike of the Washington-Lincoln medal, cataloged as Julian PR-31, reproduces the powerful dual-president design originally struck in silver during 1864. Bronze restrikes of important Civil War-era medals were produced to satisfy collector demand for historically significant designs at more accessible price points than the original precious metal versions. The medal pairs the portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, connecting the founding and preservation of the American republic in a single medallic composition. This visual pairing became one of the most enduring motifs in American medallic art, and the Washington-Lincoln medal remains one of the most collected entries in both the Julian catalog and the Baker Washingtonia reference. Bronze restrikes of the PR-31 were produced across multiple periods, with numismatic scholars identifying different die states that help date the various restrike campaigns. The designation of this piece as a restrike indicates production after the original 1864 striking campaign, using either the original dies or replacement copies. The bronze composition provides a warmer, more reddish-brown appearance compared to the darker surface of bronzed copper originals. The Washington-Lincoln pairing has resonated across generations of American collectors, who see in this medal a concise visual statement about the continuity of American democratic ideals from the founding through the crisis of civil war. The accessibility of bronze restrikes has ensured that this important design remains available to collectors at various levels of the hobby.

Rarity Notes

Moderately scarce. Bronze restrikes exist from multiple striking periods. Earlier restrikes (1870s) are scarcer than later productions. All versions are more common than the original silver strikings.

Cross References

Julian PR-31 (Bronze Restrike); Baker-246A; Musante GW-452; PCGS #892457