Indian Peace Medals

Very Rare Van Buren Peace Medal

The Third Size, in Silver

1837 Martin Van Buren Indian Peace Medal. Third Size. Julian IP-19. Prucha-44. Silver. Very Fine.

50.9 mm. 776.2 grains. Neatly pierced for suspension at 12:00, as issued, with a bit of wear in the hole that points unmistakably to it having been worn by a recipient for some time. Quite pleasing overall with medium gray surfaces that are just a trifle lighter on the high points, while outlines of deeper green and gold toning are seen through the legends and outlining the devices. Close inspection reveals some natural deposits caked into the recesses as well, pointing not only to this medal’s use as was intended, but also to its originality. Numerous scattered fine nicks and marks, though none visually stands out or draws the eye. Under magnification a series of tiny marks across Van Buren’s head look almost as if someone tried to intensify the sharpness of the hair detail, though the marks are vertical. This medal is struck from the early state of the reverse, with just a single chip inside the rightmost rim. We have records of 13 third-size Van Buren medals, and have not identified a single one that is from the later die state. This is most curious, as late-state examples exist for all of the third-size issues dated 1829 to 1849, except this one. Of the 13 medals we are aware of, four are in institutional collections.

From the Larry Ness Collection. Earlier from Parke-Bernet Galleries, November 1966, lot 15; John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XVIII, May 2007, lot 106.

Estimate: $ 5000