(1970s) Medal John Adams 34mm Peace and Friendship

Coin Details

Description

This 34mm bronze medal honoring John Adams is part of the U.S. Mint's presidential Peace and Friendship series struck for collectors. The obverse features a bust of the second president adapted from the original die engraved by Moritz Furst, the Hungarian-born medalist who created portrait dies for multiple early presidents during his association with the Philadelphia Mint in the early nineteenth century. The reverse displays the standard Peace and Friendship design by John Reich — clasped hands of a uniformed officer and a bare-wristed figure representing a Native American leader, surmounted by a crossed tomahawk and peace pipe. This reverse served as the common unifying element across the early presidential medal series. Adams served a single term from 1797 to 1801, navigating the young republic through the Quasi-War with France and the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts. His presidency established important precedents for the peaceful transfer of power when he accepted electoral defeat to Thomas Jefferson in 1800. The medal portrait captures Adams in the formal style of the Federalist era. The 34mm format in bronze composition was designed for broad public accessibility, allowing collectors to acquire representations of each president without the significant expense of the larger 76mm format or precious metal versions. These medals carry no date, following the Mint's convention for the presidential series, with the 1970s attribution reflecting the approximate production period for this particular striking.

Rarity Notes

Common. Produced in substantial quantities by the U.S. Mint for direct public sale. Readily available on the secondary market.

Cross References

Julian IP-1 (original Adams Indian Peace Medal); PCGS #413566