1829 Bronze Medal J-IP-15, Bronzed, Andrew Jackson

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,080 SP65BN 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1829 bronzed Indian Peace Medal cataloged as Julian IP-15 bears the portrait of President Andrew Jackson, whose administration implemented the most aggressive Indian removal policy in American history. Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which authorized the forced relocation of southeastern tribes along routes that became known as the Trail of Tears. The bitter irony of distributing peace medals bearing Jackson's likeness to the very nations he was displacing was not lost on contemporary observers. The obverse features a right-facing bust of Jackson with the inscription ANDREW JACKSON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. A.D. 1829, engraved by Moritz Furst. The bronzed finish provides a dark, lustrous patina that distinguishes this from ordinary bronze strikes. The reverse maintains the clasped-hands design with crossed peace pipe and tomahawk and the motto PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, a message that rang increasingly hollow during Jackson's two terms. Despite the grim historical context, Jackson peace medals were distributed in substantial quantities during his eight years in office, as the removal process itself required extensive negotiations and treaty councils where medals served as diplomatic instruments. Jackson's personal popularity and the length of his presidency make his peace medals among the more frequently encountered issues in the series.

Rarity Notes

Bronzed duplicates were produced in moderate quantities. Jackson's long two-term presidency resulted in relatively large original distribution numbers, making this one of the more available presidential peace medal issues.

Cross References

Julian IP-15; PCGS #517790