1865 Abraham Lincoln North Western Sanitary Fair Medal. Bronzed Copper. 57.5 mm. By Anthony C. Paquet. Julian CM-45, Cunningham 21-010Cbz, King-501. Specimen-64 (PCGS).Deep copper patina to both sides, the surfaces sharply defined, satiny in texture, and just a few faint carbon flecks from full Gem quality. A die crack from 2 oclock across Lincolns head to 8 oclock inspired an apocryphal story, often repeated in numismatic and historical circles, that the crack occurred on the day that Lincoln was shot. Actually, the 1,000 medals struck were produced at the Philadelphia Mint during June 1865, two months after the presidents death. To forever put this myth to bed, consider the obverse legend: MEMORIA IN AETERNA (In Eternal Memory), a very unusual phrase to use for a living person! Another numismatic legend, concocted by someone who could read Latin, no doubt, asserts that the die crack -- present on most specimens -- miraculously traces the path of the assassins bullet through Lincolns skull.
