1833 Gold Medal J-PR-33, Andrew Jackson

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,320 PR63DMPL 09-20-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

This gold striking of the Andrew Jackson presidential medal represents one of the most prestigious and valuable medals in the Julian catalog. Designated J-PR-33 in gold, this piece was produced from the same dies engraved by Moritz Furst for the obverse portrait and John Reich for the Peace and Friendship reverse, but struck in gold rather than the standard silver or bronze compositions. Gold presidential medals were produced in extremely limited quantities, typically reserved for presentation to heads of state, senior diplomats, or other individuals of exceptional importance. The soft gold metal captures every detail of Furst's portrait engraving with remarkable fidelity, and the warm luster of the precious metal gives the piece a visual distinction quite different from silver or bronze examples. Andrew Jackson served two terms from 1829 to 1837, and his presidency was marked by forceful assertions of executive power that reshaped the office. His veto of the Bank of the United States recharter, his confrontation with South Carolina during the Nullification Crisis, and his expansion of presidential patronage through the spoils system all left lasting marks on American governance. Gold strikings of early presidential medals are among the ultimate rarities in American numismatics. The combination of precious metal content, historical significance, and extreme scarcity makes gold Julian-numbered presidential medals objects of intense collector desire. When examples appear at auction, they invariably attract attention from the most sophisticated collectors of American medals and Washingtonia.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Gold strikings of early presidential medals were produced in tiny quantities for diplomatic presentation. Only a handful of examples are known to survive, and auction appearances are major numismatic events commanding five- and six-figure prices.

Cross References

Julian PR-33 (gold); Julian IP-14; Prucha-43