(1872) Silver Medal J-PR-14, Ulysses S. Grant

Coin Details

Auction Record

$5,040 SP64 03-31-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1872 silver medal of Ulysses S. Grant, cataloged as Julian PR-14, is a silver striking of the U.S. Mint's presidential portrait medal issued during Grant's first term in office. Silver versions of presidential medals were produced in limited quantities compared to their bronze counterparts, making them considerably scarcer in the numismatic market. The year 1872 places this medal's production during a period when Grant was campaigning for re-election against Liberal Republican candidate Horace Greeley, whom Grant defeated decisively in November of that year. The obverse presents Grant's portrait in the established tradition of the presidential medal series, with the bust rendered by Mint engravers working from period photographs and life sittings. The reverse carries the standard presidential inscription format used across the Julian PR series. As the fourteenth numbered entry in the presidential silver medal sequence, Julian PR-14 follows the chronological numbering system established by Robert W. Julian in his comprehensive cataloging of U.S. Mint medals. Silver presidential medals occupy a distinct tier in the Mint's medal hierarchy, positioned between the common bronze duplicates intended for broad public distribution and the rare gold presentation pieces reserved for diplomatic and congressional purposes. The silver composition gives this medal a weight and appearance that more closely approximates the gravitas of the original gold presentation version while remaining within reach of serious collectors.

Rarity Notes

Silver presidential medals were struck in limited quantities and are considerably scarcer than bronze versions. Exact mintage figures for individual silver presidential medals of this era are not well documented.

Cross References

PCGS #839041; Julian PR-14