Seven score and five years ago, Abraham Lincoln brought forth a message, conceived in war, read in peace, and remembered more fondly than the initial reaction.
The country was engaged in a great civil war that tested the foundation of the 87 year old nation. They stood on the bloodiest battlefield of that war. He read that speech dedicating the final resting place of citizens and brothers who fought for principle and died for a cause. Lincoln said that “it is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”
In a larger sense, Lincoln did not understand the impact of his address on the battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He paid tribute to those who lived and survived from that battle. But Lincoln said, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” The world notes and remembers what happened as we celebrate our freedom.
On November 19, during the annual Dedication Day Ceremony at Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the US Mint attended to unveil the design for the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin.
The obverse of the coin was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Justin Kunz and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. The image was inspired by Daniel Chester French’s famous sculpture of the President that sits inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
The reverse was designed and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The design features the an inscription of the last 43 words of the Gettysburg Address:
WE HERE HIGHLY RESOLVE THAT THESE DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN–THAT THIS NATION, UNDER GOD, SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM–AND THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH.
These words are encircled by a laurel wreath with Lincoln’s signature incuse into a banner at the bottom of the design.
The US Mint is authorized to strike 500,000 coins at the Philadelphia Mint. Proceeds from the sale of the coins will be paid to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
I like the design. If it is executed as good as these line drawings, it will be a fantastic coin!
Images courtesy of the US Mint.