1862 Abraham Lincoln Indian Peace Medal. Silver. Second Size. Julian IP-39, Prucha-51. Very Choice About Uncirculated.

62.6 mm. 1445.9 grains. Pierced for suspension as typical, with a plain silver loop that is likely the original. Another exceptional medal that can fairly easily be identified as the finest seen among the medals in the writer's extensive census. In fact, it is probably one of the very finest Lincoln Peace medals of either size, with only the first large-size in Ford XVI (lot 156) being a likely contender for the honor. Exceptionally attractive toning, with pastel blue-green, rose, violet and deep gold iridescence across the entire obverse. The reverse is almost completely brilliant silver within the central medallion, while deep reddish gold, and intense blue and violet envelope the rims. Deeply prooflike on both sides and beautifully struck, with clear evidence of double striking on the obverse. Unlike the case of the large Lincoln medals, the original reverse die cut for the second size Buchanan medals did not break and was used for all issued medals of this administration. Joseph Willson's signature may be seen in the exergue of the central medallion. Though basically the same design as on the large medals, the details of the central medallion are arranged differently. While the foreground figure of the Native American plowing is virtually identical, the arrangements in the distance differ. The most notable difference is in the central placement of a church steeple at the center on this size, while large medals have a less obvious church at the far right. The baseball players are also in different positions. Close inspection will reveal other differences as well. Quite a bit of detail was put into these designs by Willson. It is believed that 100 medals were struck in silver of each size for the Lincoln issue, which would suggest that the survival rate should be fairly close between the two sizes. In fact, the writer has identified 23 different specimens for this size, which is 13 fewer than for the larger medals. However, all are pierced for issue, and consistently so, with a fairly consistent weight distribution as well. It seems that none of this size were produced for collectors, regardless of the superior quality seen here. This is a truly remarkable survivor. While it is one of many outstanding medals in the E Pluribus Unum Collection, it could easily stand alone as a centerpiece in many collections.

From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier from Leonard Stark, May 1958; John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XVI, October 2006, lot 163.