1845 Bronze Medal J-IP-25, James K Polk

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,640 MS65BN 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1845 bronze Indian Peace Medal cataloged as Julian IP-25 bears the portrait of President James K. Polk, the eleventh president, whose single term was dominated by the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 and the acquisition of vast western territories including California, New Mexico, and Oregon. Polk's territorial ambitions brought the United States into contact with dozens of additional Native American nations across the Southwest and Pacific Coast. The obverse features a right-facing bust of Polk with the inscription JAMES K. POLK PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. A.D. 1845. The reverse carries the standard clasped-hands design with crossed peace pipe and tomahawk and the motto PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. This bronze duplicate was struck at the Philadelphia Mint for collector distribution. Polk's presidency represented the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny, with the nation expanding from the Mississippi to the Pacific in a single term. Peace medals bearing his likeness were distributed to tribal leaders throughout this expanding frontier, serving as symbols of American sovereignty over territories that had been Mexican, British, or indigenous. The dramatic expansion of American territory during Polk's administration made his peace medals particularly significant diplomatic instruments.

Rarity Notes

Bronze duplicates produced in moderate quantities. Polk's single four-year term produced a moderate number of original distributions.

Cross References

Julian IP-25; PCGS #517797