1865 Medal King-229 Bronzed Bronze Emancipation Proclamation

Coin Details

Description

This 1865 bronzed medal, cataloged as King-229, commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation — Lincoln's order declaring enslaved people in Confederate territory "forever free." The King catalog is the standard reference for Lincoln medals. King-229 is among the most symbolically significant in the series, directly connecting Lincoln to his most transformative act. Produced in the year of both the Thirteenth Amendment's ratification and Lincoln's assassination, Emancipation medals from 1865 carry particular poignancy. Medal iconography provides insight into how Americans have understood and represented their history, with evolving artistic conventions reflecting changing cultural values and aesthetic preferences across different eras. The packaging, presentation, and documentation of medals — from original boxes and certificates to auction catalog descriptions — constitutes an important secondary collecting area that enriches understanding of how these pieces were marketed and valued. The bronzed finish gives a formal, dignified appearance.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. King-229, bronzed. Lincoln Emancipation Proclamation medals are actively collected.

Cross References

PCGS #674930; King-229; Abraham Lincoln; Emancipation Proclamation; Bronzed; 1865