DALLAS, TEXAS —An 1852 medal honoring Secretary of State Henry Clay’s long service to the country—struck by the U.S. Mint in nearly 30 ounces of solid California gold and passed down through his family—sold for $346,000 to lead a record-setting special auction of memorabilia relating to Abraham Lincoln September 17 at Heritage Auctions. Bidding for the 3-1/2 inch diameter medal opened at $75,000 and quickly advanced to $346,000 including the buyer’s premium.

The event’s $2.4 million final amount realized was a joint endeavor between Heritage Auctions and The Rail Splitter, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication for enthusiasts of Abraham Lincoln and related memorabilia.

A perfectly signed carte-de-visite card image of a thoughtful Lincoln set a world record for an image of its type after seven bidders pushed the selling price to $175,000. The 1862 card carried an inscription on the back by Presidential Secretary John Hay certifying its authenticity.

For more information, www.ha.com.

A full review will appear in a future issue.