 James Polk Indian Peace Medal, 1845. Silver. Third Size. First Reverse. J.IP.26, Pr.46, B.40. Extremely Fine. 50.9mm. Rims 3.5 - 3.8mm thick. 934.7 gns. A remarkable example of an extremely rare Indian Peace medal, one of the rarest in the entire series. Only six of these originals were not melted in 1849. Both sides are toned in deep silver gray with light blue and rose iridescence. The surfaces still show considerable original bright reflectivity. Neatly holed at the top; no loop. The pattern of wear on this piece is suggestive of that of an awarded medal that was worn by its recipient. This size is known in silver originals and copper restrikes. The cataloguer has only two recent auction records for an original 51mm Polk, the lovely AU Dreyfuss:5154 example and the very nice EF in Presidential's sale of December 4, 2004. The Bridge Collection (lot 1060) included a specimen catalogued as ''An early 19th c. [i.e., 20th c.] strike.'' Carlson's research yielded only 5 auction records for a silver 51mm Polk. It is likely that fewer than six originals were actually distributed for award to native Americans.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
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