This blog is nothing if not timely. Let’s look at some of the best ways the President’s Day honorees, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, have been memorialized in minting. And since the Winter Games are officially underway in Vancouver, let’s do it Olympic-style.
There are two points I’d like to make before starting the item showcase. First of all, I will caution the reader that this is not necessarily a numismatic blog, and that I tend to shy away from talking about current United States legal tender. However, I will mention circulating coinage if it falls within the broader scope of collectibility. That being said, while some of the following coins discussed are definitely not for spending (you can check the item descriptions yourself), some can be used to purchase goods and services. But to reiterate my sentiments on the subject of presidential collectibles, why would you want to expend such valuable items on trivial commerce?
Also, I’d like to direct your attention to the end of this post. There you will find reference photos for many of the Washington and Lincoln designs that adorn their numerous respective collectible pieces. There is only one photograph for Washington, while there are several for Lincoln. As a matter of fact, most (if not all) of the George Washington engravings alluded to below – as well as that on the American Quarter, by the way – are derived from the bust pictured. So to reinforce another (obvious) point that I brought up in my previous article, executive depictions that predate the mid-19th century are hard to come by.
Now on to the treasures…
Gold
George Washington – In this blogger’s opinion, the George Washington Gold-Layered Stamp Ingot is very charming. Note from the product description that both the ingot and the accompanying medal for this product are only layered in gold. (But with the way the price of gold sky-rocketed late last year, the product might still be worth the value on its price-tag.)
Abraham Lincoln - The Abraham Lincoln Gold-Layered Stamp Ingot is also available at the New York Times store. You will be hard-pressed to legitimately find this ingot duo and its Washington counterpart anywhere else on the ‘net (Lord knows I’ve tried), and that includes the United States Post Office website.
Silver
Washington – The Lafayette Dollar is an item you will need to shell out some serious dough to get. And one from the original mint year of 1899 (for the year 1900) is really going to cost you.
Lincoln – We currently carry a pure silver coin – a fine product (pun intended), if we do say so ourselves. But for those of you with deeper pockets, consider an entire set of Presidential Silver Proof Commemoratives, with those of Washington and Lincoln included. Personally, this set is my favorite issue in this entire post, and I wanted to beat the drum about its release since it is so imminent.
Bronze
Washington – The concept for this 3″ Bronze Medal featuring the Father of Our Country probably dates back farther than any item I’ve mentioned so far. The token on which this medal is based was originally commissioned in the late 18th century.
Lincoln – As luck would have it, the US Mint now offers the Lincoln 3″ Bronze Medal and will begin shipping it at the beginning of March 2010. (FYI, since I first came across this medal, its initial day of dispatch has already been pushed back once. Be advised that the March day may change again.)
If you’re really up for it, and really rich, you can try getting your hands on a legendary 1943 Lincoln Penny at auction. Conversely, check the change container in your car and fish between the cushions of your sofa. In the rare event that you possess one of these cent-pieces (and CoinFacts.com tells you how to give your coin a preliminary authentication test), you could probably sell it for tens of thousands of dollars in today’s vintage/collectibles market.
Now if you don’t believe me, remember that this President’s Day post is dedicated to both “the man who could not tell a lie” and “Honest Abe.” Would I make this stuff up? 
George Washington's bust in profile, a view replicated extensively
Abraham Lincoln portrait close-up, as seen on the old $5 bill and various other mints
Lincoln in profile, as seen on the penny and many collectibles
Daguerreotype photo of Lincoln, as seen on the new $5 bill
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