1825 John Quincy Adams Indian Peace Medal. Silver. Second Size. Julian IP-12, Prucha-42. Extremely Fine.
62.4 mm. 1565.0 grains. Pierced for suspension at 12 o'clock, as issued. Another pleasantly sharp medal from the John Quincy Adams administration, this being the second of three issued sizes and the second scarcest of the three. Deep steel patina throughout, but with a somewhat flashy appearances due in part to some lingering prooflike character in the fields, but also to some polishing by well-meaning non-numismatic owners long ago -- a detail not unusual among these medals that were objects deeply esteemed by their Native American recipients. This one was clearly issued and used for its intended purpose, with the usual minor scattered handling marks over both sides. A small series of scratches is noted at the upper reverse, while a couple of small rim nicks help to identify this one as from the William Guthman Collection, sold by Sotheby's in 2005. As noted, this is the second scarcest of the three sizes issued by Adams and one of 15 known to the writer. Just nine of these are believed to be in private collections, and among them this is probably the second-finest example.
From Sotheby's New York's sale of the William Guthman Collection, December 2005, lot 336.