"1801" (ca. 1861-1886) Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace Medal. Bronze. Second Size. Julian IP-3, Prucha-39. Original Dies. MS-62 BN (NGC).
75 mm. Gently hairlined on both sides, but beautifully toned and very attractive overall. Both sides are awash with lovely pastel mottling of nicely blended rich blue, violet and blue-green. Thin arcs of rich copper orange are seen against the rims. One gentle rim bump is noted on the reverse, but there are few marks otherwise. Sharply struck from the original dies used to produce the silver shells that comprised the original medals issued by the Jefferson administration at the beginning of the 19th century. The reverse die had cracked by the time this was struck, and the prominent break is visible from the rim over the pipe bowl essentially to the center of the die. Though graded one point lower than the Larry Ness Collection specimen due to the hairlines, this seems a prettier specimen overall. Minor die rust or spalling on both sides, as typical. According to Robert Julian, the dies for this medal had been replaced by October 8, 1886. The new reverse had a more modern style, similar to the Zachary Taylor reverse for 1849. Earlier impressions from the original dies are the most desirable, perhaps largely due to their closer association to the rare original medals in silver. The landmark Ford Collection included only a single example of this medal from these dies in bronze.

Estimate: $1500