1909 Lincoln Centennial Preserve, Protect, Defend Medal. Bronze. 62.4 mm. By Victor David Brenner. Cunningham 24-270, King-303, Smedley-84. Extremely Fine. Rich chocolate bronze finish with edge nicks and a few minor contact marks in the fields. Certainly one of the more dramatic medals produced for Lincolns birth centenary in 1909, and apparently a rare variety as well. According to Paul A. Cunningham in the 2015 reference <em>Lincolns Metallic Imagery</em>, only 20 specimens were struck with the artists signature appearing as V.D. BRENNER at about 8 oclock on the obverse before the die broke. New dies were prepared replacing his name with just the initials VDB moved to the truncation of Lincolns bust in just about the same position they would be on all Lincoln cents produced from 1918 to date. Produced as a "desk medal" by Gorham Co. for Brenner, this is a visually impressive and rare piece in any of its varieties. From the Richard Jewell Collection. Earlier from Presidential Coin and Antique Co., Inc.s Auction Seventy Nine, June 2009, lot 265. Lot tag included.
