(1850) Silver Medal J-IP-30, Millard Fillmore

Coin Details

Auction Record

$9,600 XF Details 04-29-2018 Heritage Auctions

Description

The circa 1850 silver Indian Peace Medal cataloged as Julian IP-30 bears the portrait of President Millard Fillmore and represents a precious-metal presentation piece intended for actual diplomatic distribution to Native American leaders. Silver peace medals held special significance as indicators of rank and alliance, and tribal chiefs who received them often wore the medals prominently as symbols of their recognized status by the American government. The obverse features Fillmore's right-facing portrait with presidential inscriptions, rendered in silver. The reverse carries the standard clasped-hands design with crossed peace pipe and tomahawk and the PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP motto. Silver examples were produced in much smaller quantities than bronze duplicates, as they were reserved exclusively for ceremonial presentation. Fillmore-era silver peace medals were distributed by Indian agents, military officers, and treaty commissioners throughout the western territories during a period of rapid American expansion. The silver composition made these medals intrinsically valuable to their recipients, who sometimes modified them by adding suspension loops for wearing around the neck. Surviving silver examples frequently show evidence of such personal use.

Rarity Notes

Silver presentation medals were produced in very limited quantities for diplomatic use. Significantly scarcer than bronze duplicates. Surviving examples may show evidence of wear from personal use by recipients.

Cross References

Julian IP-30; PCGS #669755