1865 Andrew Johnson Indian Peace Medal. Musante GW-770, Julian IP-40, Prucha-52, Baker-173X var. (unlisted in Copper). Copper. First Size. Uncirculated Details--Damaged (PCGS).

75.8 mm. 4146.7 grains. A most handsome example of this medal with light caramel brown surfaces that feature traces of soft mottled pastel toning in the prooflike fields. Nuances of soft rose, blue-green, violet and gold are seen on both sides, while traces of faded orange remain close to the rims. Beautifully struck on a very thick flan, and exceptionally well preserved. Just a couple of trivial spots are noted in the fields and the satiny texture of the devices is gently smoothed on the highest points of Johnson's hair. A rim bump is noted left of the date, accounting for the grade. Though the Washington portrait is but a tiny bust on this large medal, and far from the central theme, this has long been included in cabinets of Washington portrait medals, usually in bronze, and probably out of little more than a kindly acknowledgement that Baker included this type in his 1885 work. This said, Washington is small but not insignificant in the reverse design.

From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Stack's) September 2009 Americana Sale, lot 6138.