Lincoln Lawyer Cents

[ 1 ] “In 1830, Thomas decided to move the family to Illinois, where he had relatives and where the soil was rich and productive. Early on, Abraham took a variety of jobs, including piloting a steamboat, but he was beginning to develop a serious interest in politics. In 1834, he was elected to the Illinois General Assembly, and began studying the law in earnest. In September 1836, he received a law license and embarked on the career that would propel him to the White House. In April 1837, he settled in the new Illinois state capitol, Springfield. Here, he met and married Mary Todd and their first child, Robert Todd Lincoln, was born in August 1843. Lincoln continued to make a name for himself as a lawyer, and in 1846 he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of the Whig Party. Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas was up for reelection in 1858, and in June the state Republican Convention nominated Lincoln for the seat. The series of famous Lincoln-Douglas debates took place that fall, and while he did not win the seat, Lincoln's logic, moral fervor, eloquent language, and debating skills transformed him into a national figure. At the 1860 Republican Convention, he secured the nomination for President and was elected that fall. The coin's design depicts him as a young professional standing in front of the state capitol building in Springfield, Illinois.” — usmint.gov lesson plan for teachers

[ 2 ] “Joel Iskowitz has created artwork for three decades that has graced the covers of books, periodicals, journals, public spaces, coins and postage stamps worldwide. He is also an active United States Air Force (USAF) artist and has a number of oils in the USAF permanent collection. Mr. Iskowitz has been invited twice to document Space Shuttle missions and his artwork is on permanent display at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Museum. Mr. Iskowitz's work has been featured in many international journals; including profiles of his numismatic and philatelic art in COINage Magazine; Watercolor Magazine and American Artist Magazine; and his murals have been featured in Exhibit Builder Magazine. He has been awarded both bronze and silver medals for his corporate illustrations and grand-scale public art in Portfolio.com international competitions. Mr. Iskowitz has also received the National Oceanic and Philatellic Society citation for his contributions to Space Philately . . .” — 2009 Artistic Infusion Program Artists, usmint.gov (Photo of Joel Iskowitz is a United States Mint image.)

[ 3 ] “Don Everhart became a member of the United States Mint team of sculptor-engravers in January 2004. Born in York, Pennsylvania, he earned a B.F.A. in painting from Kutztown State University in 1972. The following year Mr. Everhart joined the Franklin Mint as a designer and attained the position of staff sculptor, which he held for five years. In March 1980, Mr. Everhart left the Franklin Mint to pursue a freelance career. During this period, his projects included work with figurines, plates, coins and medals. His clientele included prominent companies such as Walt Disney Co. and Tiffany, as well as the Royal Norwegian and British Royal Mints. Mr. Everhart has received numerous commissions, most notably Georgetown University’s Sports Hall of Fame, a 24-piece bronze installation. Mr. Everhart’s work has been exhibited internationally and is included in several permanent collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, The British Museum, The American Numismatic Society and the National Sculpture Society. He has received the prestigious American Numismatic Association’s Sculptor of the Year Award in 1994. In 1997, his submission was chosen as the Official Inaugural Medal for President Clinton’s second term . . .” — Don Everhart, Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint, usmint.gov (Photo of Don Everhart is a United States Mint image.)