Description:
On May 7, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln, less than a month into the American Civil War, began a letter to the Regent Captains of the Republic of San Marino with the words “Great and Good Friends”. The text of the letter is as follows:
I have received and read with great sensibility the letter which as Regent Captains of the Republic of San Marino you addressed to me on the 29th of March last. I thank the Council of San Marino for the honor of citizenship they have conferred upon me.
Although your dominion is small, your State is nevertheless one of the most honored, in all history. It has by its experience demonstrated the truth, so full of encouragement to the friends of Humanity, that Government founded on Republican principles is capable of being so administered as to be secure and enduring.
You have kindly adverted to the trial through which this Republic is now passing. It is one of deep import. It involves the question whether a Representative republic, extended and aggrandized so much as to be safe against foreign enemies can save itself from the dangers of domestic faction. I have faith in a good result.
Wishing that your interesting State may endure and flourish forever, and that you may live long and enjoy the confidence and secure the gratitude of your fellow citizens, I pray God to have you in his holy keeping.
Your Good Friend
Washington, May 7 1861 Abraham Lincoln
To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Lincoln’s death, San Marino has released a silver 10-euro commemorative coin. Interestingly, the coin bears no graphical representation of the Great Emancipator, but instead commemorates him with his friendly tidings to the people of San Marino “Great and Good Friends”.
The San Marino Abraham Lincoln 10-Euro Silver coin is struck in .925 silver at the Mint of Rome and has a mintage of 6,000 pieces. It is struck as a Proof.
Obverse:
A. Napolione’s design features the San Marinese iconic towers of La Guaita, La Cesta and Il Montale in the center of a coat of arms, an oak leaf and olive branch surrounding, crown surmounting. A scroll below, inscribed LIBERATES. Circling around the rim is the name REPUBBLICA DI SAN MARINO.
Reverse:
A vaguely Fibonacci-esque four-panel grid, offset to the bottom left. In the top right quadrant are the words GREAT AND GOOD FRIENDS in cursive script. In the top left quadrant and oriented vertically is the denomination of 10 EURO. In the lower left quadrant, the “R” mark of the Mint of Rome (San Marino coins have been struck in Rome since the country resumed coinage in 1972). In the bottom right quadrant is the inscription ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1865-2015.
Designer(s): Italian Designer A. Napolioni designs coin for the Mint of Rome. View Designers Profile.
Coin Specifications:
| Country: | San Marino |
| Year Of Issue: | 2015 |
| Denomination: | 10 Euro |
| Mint Mark: | |
| Mintage: | 6,000 |
| Alloy: | .925 Silver |
| Weight: | 22 grams |
| Diameter: | 34 mm |
| OBV Designer | A. Napolione |
| REV Designer | |
| Quality: | Proof |
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