President Abraham Lincoln – Still a Favorite on eBay

by Steve on April 15, 2010 · 0 comments

April 15 - On this date in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln died from a gunshot wound. He was shot in the back of the head by actor John Wilkes Booth on Friday, April 14th. He lingered overnight and passed away the next day, having never regained consciousness.

It's hard to understand the effect Lincoln's assassination had on people of the time. General Lee had surrendered at Appomattox just days before - effectively ending the American Civil War. People were giddy with excitement. The evening of April 14 was supposed to be a celebration at Ford's Theater. What was the name of the play Lincoln was watching when he was shot? Our American Cousin. (That should win a Trivial Pursuit game for you. Also, another bit of trivia - Abraham Lincoln had no middle name.)

The video below gives a good impression of what it may have been like that evening. It's easy to imagine how feelings of joy turned to tragedy and chaos.

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After Lincoln was murdered, he became godlike in the eyes of Americans. He was featured on the U.S. one cent coin beginning in 1909 with a design by Victor D. Brenner. In fact, Mr. Brenner's initials VDB appear on the early versions of the Lincoln cent. They may be found on the back bottom between the wheat stalks.

To this day. President Lincoln is still held up as the person who saved the Union, keeping the country together after the Civil War. Maybe that is part of the reason for the high interest in collectibles featuring "Honest Abe."