1865-Dated Abraham Lincoln Emancipation Medal with Patriotic Bezel, King-229, Bronze, 60mm, with an original period decorative bezel with a American Heraldic Eagle at top with loop, Choice Mint State.
1865-Dated Lincoln Emancipation Medal with Bezel, Uncertified. King-229, Bronze, 60 mm, commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation, 107.72 g., by H. Bovy, Paris. A rare type with text reading: ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / BORN FEB 12TH 1809 DIED ASSASSINATED APRIL 15TH 1865, bust right / WITH MALICE TOWARDS NONE WITH CHARITY FOR ALL / 4TH MARCH 1865 / EMANCIPATION OF SLAVERY PLACLAMD SEPTEMBER 22 1862” in four lines. Edge: Plain. King 229. Extremely glossy chocolate-brown surfaces with an alluring underlying luster; a few trivial scattered marks and rub on the highest point of the hair. A highly attractive and seldom-seen Lincoln medal of foreign commission and manufacture.

Designed by the celebrated Swiss medalist Hugues Bovy, this impressive piece was issued sometime in the period following Lincoln's assassination and the late 1860's, honoring his Emancipation Proclamation. Two versions of the medal exist, with the present example being the scarcer of the two. The other more common (King 230) features a more grammatically correct reading of 'abolition of slavery proclaimed' on the reverse.

The Abraham Lincoln Emancipation Medal (King-230) is a historical commemorative piece cataloged by Robert P. King in his definitive work on Lincoln numismatics. This specific medal is part of the Julian Commemorative Medals series. Obverse: Features a right-facing bust of President Abraham Lincoln with the legend "ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENT UNITED STATES". Emancipation Proclaimed Jan. 1, 1863. Medal Series of the U.S. Mint. J. Pollock 1871 Director. Records indicate that there were only 13 of these medals struck in silver. A very rare and attractive specimen, with bold reflectivity on both sides. This Medal was struck by the U.S. Mint as a Commemorative Medal for Lincoln, there were 363 pieces struck in Bronze, and 13 were struck in Silver.