In 1861, tensions over the issues of slavery, economic survival and a state's right to govern its own erupted into the Civil War, pitting state against state, North against South. At the site of the conflict's bloodiest battle in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, President Abraham Lincoln delivered what would become the greatest speech in American history. Presented at the Soldiers' National Cemetery on November 19, 1863, the "Gettysburg Address” took only two minutes to deliver; but Lincoln's powerful words would forever symbolize the honor and sacrifice required to uphold the American way of life.An AMERICAN MINT EXCLUSIVE, this exquisite masterpiece has been specially created to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. Minted to the highest quality "Proof ” standard and luxuriously plated in .999 pure silver, it features a highly detailed reproduction of President Lincoln's statue from the Pennsylvania State Monument in Gettysburg. The obverse also features the full content ofLincoln's historic speech - a truly magnificent tribute to a watershed moment in American history.