1909 Lincoln Centennial Preserve, Protect, Defend Medal. By Victor David Brenner. Cunningham 24-300Bz, King-304, Smedley-84. Bronze. MS-66 BN (NGC).63 mm. An exceptional and particularly desirable example of this prized Lincoln Centennial issue. Beautiful golden-brown surfaces are evenly toned with a smooth, satiny texture. Fully struck with intricate detail throughout the design.<p>Certainly one of the more dramatic medals produced for Lincolns birth centenary in 1909, and also a significant rarity. Examples were struck in the Philadelphia Mint in late 1908 and early 1909 and first sold during the former year. According to unpublished information provided to us by Scott Miller, <em>The New-York Daily Tribune</em> reported on this medal in an October 25, 1908 account, in which the stormy sea on the reverse is said to allude to the troubled times of Lincolns administration. The rock at right represents the Constitution, the eagle atop it Lincoln himself, looking toward the sun and a bright future after the war.<p>Miller reports mintage figures as follows:<p>-November 7, 1908 = 20 bronze medals<p>-December 8, 1908 = 10 copper, 100 bronze medals<p>-December 9, 1908 = 10 silver medals<p>-February 1, 1909 = 10 silver medals<p>The first 20 bronze impressions produced on November 7 caused the reverse die to break because the eagle was cut in too deep relief. Examples from that die are attributed as Cunningham 24-270Bz, King-303. The remainder are from the replacement reverse, and are attributed as Cunningham 24-300, King-304.<p>Smedley reports that a specimen in the ANS Collection, formerly the property of Brenners nephew David, displays file marks on the edge that appear to have obliterated an edge mark. Based on this, the author asserts that, in addition to the Philadelphia Mint strikings listed above, a few others may have been struck by another firm, possibly Gorham Manufacturing Co. Miller, however, doubts a Gorham connection with these medals.<p>Brenner gave the cancelled dies (the reverse presumably that of King-304) to the ANS on August 13, 1909, along with a Panama Canal medal and a Proof 1909 Lincoln cent.<p>We have offered only six bronze examples of this type since 2014, one of which was silvered. Miller is aware of only two actual silver examples. This particularly well preserved and highly attractive bronze striking is clearly an important offering, and sure to see spirited bidding among advanced Lincolniana collectors.<p>Stacks Bowers Galleries credits, and wishes to thank, Scott Miller for much of the information given in this description.Old collector envelope included.