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Abraham Lincoln Bust

Three young visitors reach up to rub the gold-shiny nose of the dark bronze Lincoln head outside Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois
Artwork FileSpringfield, United States

Abraham Lincoln Bust

SeenDec 2005

Gutzon Borglum · 1931 · Springfield

Photo: SenorAnderson (CC BY-SA 3.0), 2005-12-27. Resized, full frame.

Gutzon Borglum’s bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln stands outside Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois. Visitors have long rubbed its nose for luck, leaving the bronze visibly polished; the historical society also records efforts to discourage touching. Source Source Source Reported

Seen Dec 2005 — evidence dated 2005-12-27. The dated source does not establish present condition. Source Checked

💡 4 things to know

  1. Made from an earlier marbleBorglum’s bronze was based on a marble bust he made in 1908. Source Checked
  2. Added during the tomb remodelThe bust was installed outside the tomb during the 1930–31 restoration. Source Checked
  3. A nose polished by visitorsThe visitor bureau says people rub Lincoln’s nose for luck. Source Reported
  4. The ritual is visibleA 2005 photograph shows visitors reaching up to touch the brightened nose. Source Checked

📍 Where it is

Lincoln Tomb, 1500 Monument Avenue, Oak Ridge Cemetery · Springfield, United States Source Checked

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🗓️ Sightings

  1. 1931

    Bronze bust installed outside Lincoln Tomb

  2. 1970

    Bust raised about 18 inches to deter nose rubbing

  3. 1976

    Bust returned to its former height, according to the historical society

  4. 200527 Dec

    Visitors photographed rubbing the polished nose

  5. 202212 Jul

    Historical society report records a no-touch sign still present in July 2022

Green stamps mark dated photographs; amber stamps mark records or reports; red stamps mark loss. Publication dates are not camera dates.

✅ The facts

Artist
Gutzon Borglum Source Checked
Installed
1931 Source Checked
Material
Bronze Source Checked
Location
Lincoln Tomb, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield Source Checked
Visitor tradition
Rubbing the nose for luck Source Reported
Pedestal changes
Raised in 1970 and returned to its former height in 1976 Source Reported

🔗 Related

All sources & image credits

Last checked: 29 October 2026. How we verify art