Undated Plaster Portrait of Abraham Lincoln. By John Mercanti, 12th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. Mint State. 175 mm x 190 mm, elongated octagon in white plaster. Evocative portrait of our nations 16th president facing straight forward. Essentially the same portrait (but in much higher relief) that was used on the Lincoln Presidential dollar issued in 2010. The design of that coin is usually credited to Don Everhart, but the portrait seems to be adapted from Mercantis design. Signed JM 13 at the lower right. The plaster is mounted on a rectangular black plastic plaque with a paper sticker on the back with the handwritten inscription (signature) / JOHN MERCANTI / 12TH CHIEF ENGRAVER / U.S. MINT. Mercanti served the Mint from 1974 to 2010 and held the title Chief Engraver after that position was re-instituted by the U. S. Congress in 2006. Very attractive, and a significant work of art by a renown sculptor.
