1833 Silver Medal J-PR-33, Andrew Jackson

Coin Details

Auction Record

$384 MS64 08-24-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

This silver medal bearing the portrait of Andrew Jackson is cataloged as Julian PR-33 and represents one of the most important early presidential medals struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The obverse was engraved by Moritz Furst, who agreed to cut the Jackson portrait die in March 1831 for a fee of $1,000. Furst's portrait captures the seventh president's distinctive angular features and swept-back hair in a right-facing bust of considerable artistic merit. The reverse features the Peace and Friendship design by John Reich — clasped hands beneath a crossed tomahawk and peace pipe — that served as the standard reverse for presidential Indian Peace Medals from Jefferson through at least the mid-nineteenth century. The 1833 date reflects either the year of striking or a commemorative reference to Jackson's presidency, which began in 1829. Jackson's presidency transformed American politics through the expansion of democratic participation, the destruction of the Second Bank of the United States, and the forcible removal of Native Americans from the southeastern states. The ironic juxtaposition of the Peace and Friendship reverse with Jackson's Indian Removal policy has not been lost on historians, making this medal a complex artifact of American history. The silver composition marks this as a premium striking, intended for diplomatic presentation or important collectors. The first Jackson medals delivered were three small-size examples in November 1831, with larger production following in subsequent years. Silver examples of early Julian-numbered presidential medals are considerably scarcer than their bronze counterparts and are prized by specialists in American medallic art.

Rarity Notes

Rare in silver. Original silver presentation medals are scarce, with most surviving examples held in institutional or advanced private collections. Bronze versions from later strikings are more available. Auction appearances of silver examples typically generate strong bidding.

Cross References

Julian PR-33; Julian IP-14 (Indian Peace Medal designation); Prucha-43; Baker-related designations