(1845) Bronze Medal J-IP-26, James K. Polk

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,800 MS65BN 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

The circa 1845 bronze Indian Peace Medal cataloged as Julian IP-26 bears the portrait of President James K. Polk and represents a distinct die variety from the IP-25 version. The IP-26 designation in Julian's catalog indicates differences in die characteristics that distinguish this medal from the IP-25, potentially including variations in the portrait rendering, inscriptions, or border treatment. The obverse features Polk's right-facing portrait with presidential inscriptions. The reverse carries the clasped-hands design with crossed peace pipe and tomahawk and the PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP motto. The existence of multiple Julian numbers for the same president's peace medal reflects the comprehensive die-variety approach Julian took in cataloging the entire series. The Polk presidency saw peace medals distributed across an unprecedented geographic range, from Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest to the recently conquered territories of New Mexico and California. Military officers, Indian agents, and treaty commissioners all carried medals for presentation to tribal leaders during the rapid expansion of American sovereignty across the western half of the continent.

Rarity Notes

Bronze duplicate in the IP-26 die variety. Relative scarcity compared to IP-25 is undocumented, as both die varieties were produced for collector distribution.

Cross References

Julian IP-26; PCGS #536701