Indian Peace Medals
1862 Abraham Lincoln Indian Peace Medal. Copper, Bronzed. First Size. Second Reverse. Julian IP-38, Prucha-51. MS-62 BN (NGC).
75.5 mm. 4004.8 grains. Mottled olive and mahogany brown on the obverse while the reverse is much more uniform chocolate brown, though traces of mahogany are noted. A small group of blunt marks in the central reverse are the only ones really worthy of specific mention, though there are a few tiny spots noted. Soft satiny luster and just the faintest break in the patina on the most vulnerable high points of the obverse design. Though we note in the main line to this description that this is a “second reverse” medal, there really is no reason to believe that any bronze impressions were struck with the original die bearing Willson’s signature in the exergue of the reverse central medallion. The large bronze Lincoln medals seem to have caught on, so to speak, as they have been climbing in value in recent years. This speaks to a healthy demand for all things Lincoln. With the silver medals out of reach for many, these bronze impressions allow many more collectors to own these classic medals.
Ex Stack’s, February 2008, lot 3587.
Estimate: $1200