"1865" Medal Cunningham 7-010Bz (229) Bronze Lincoln Emancipation

Coin Details

Description

This bronze medal cataloged as Cunningham 7-010Bz (number 229 in the extended sequence) is a Lincoln Emancipation medal struck in bronze. The Cunningham catalog, compiled by Robert Cunningham, is the standard reference for Abraham Lincoln medals and tokens, documenting hundreds of varieties produced during and after the Civil War era. This particular piece celebrates Lincoln's role in the emancipation of enslaved people, referencing the Emancipation Proclamation issued on January 1, 1863. The "1865" date in quotes indicates this is a restrike or later production bearing that date rather than being struck contemporaneously. Lincoln emancipation medals form one of the largest subcategories within the Cunningham catalog, reflecting the enormous public interest in commemorating what many considered Lincoln's greatest achievement. The bronze composition was the most common metal for these medallic tributes, making them affordable for ordinary citizens who wished to own a tangible reminder of the end of slavery. The obverse typically features a portrait of Lincoln, while the reverse carries emancipation-themed imagery or text referencing the proclamation.

Rarity Notes

Bronze striking from the Cunningham Lincoln medal series. The 229 designation indicates a later die state or restrike within the production sequence. Generally available in the Lincoln medal collector market.

Cross References

PCGS #903042; Cunningham 7-010Bz (229)