1862 Abraham Lincoln Indian Peace Medal. Silver. First Size. Julian IP-38, Prucha-51, Cunningham 22-010S. Fine.
75.7 mm. 2577.6 grains. Pierced at 12 o'clock for suspension, as issued. A most handsome and nicely worn example of this prized Peace medal issue, arguably the most broadly popular of the series. For those who want only a single representative example, it seems that a first-size Lincoln is often the choice. This has lovely deep gray surfaces with gentle mottled pastel overtones. The pastels are stronger on the obverse, while the reverse is a bit more gray overall. The difference is subtle. The wear pattern is even throughout, with many tiny nicks on both sides that one must expect from an issued medal, though none are distracting, and many have been gently softened by the continued wearing of the medal. Light distortion in the suspension hole and a bit of thinning is noted at the adjacent rim, again, expected features. Beyond the popularity of Abraham Lincoln in general, one of the most interesting and often cited design features of the Lincoln Peace medals is the depiction of children playing baseball (or some very closely related game) in the central reverse vignette. The Lincoln medals are somewhat plentiful in terms of the numbers known, but some of them seem to have been struck later for collectors. This is clearly among those struck for official presentation, and it clearly served its purpose. The writer is aware of 36 examples, but at least seven of them are of a weight standard suggestive of a restrike. In addition to the broad appeal that places market pressure on these, about 10 are held in institutional collections, removing those from the available supply. This has been off the market since our October 2006 sale of the Ford Collection, and it has a fine provenance to Virgil M. Brand, one of America's most legendary collectors.
Ex Virgil M. Brand Collection; Michael Brand Zeddies, February 1960; John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XVI, October 2006, lot 161. Lot tag included.

Estimate: $16000