No Date Medal James Polk Type 2

Coin Details

Description

This undated bronze medal represents the Type 2 version of the James K. Polk presidential medal, distinguished from the Type 1 by variations in the die combination. The 34mm bronze format maintains Polk's bust on the obverse and the Peace and Friendship reverse, with die-specific differences that collectors and catalogers have identified to separate the two types. Polk entered the presidency as the first true "dark horse" candidate in American politics, winning the 1844 Democratic nomination on the ninth ballot after the front-runners deadlocked. His youth and relative obscurity led opponents to ask "Who is James K. Polk?" — a question his extraordinarily productive presidency answered decisively. In four years, he added more territory to the United States than any president except Jefferson with the Louisiana Purchase. The Type 2 die combination reflects the ongoing production of presidential medals across multiple decades. As the Mint continued to fill orders for collector sets and individual medal purchases, worn or damaged dies were replaced, introducing the variations that define different types. These changes might involve subtle differences in letter spacing, portrait relief, or the rendering of the Peace and Friendship reverse elements. Collectors pursuing comprehensive presidential medal sets may seek both Type 1 and Type 2 examples to achieve a complete representation of the Polk medal's production history.

Rarity Notes

Common. Standard Mint production for collectors. Comparable availability to the Type 1 variant.

Cross References

PCGS #413506; Type 1: PCGS #511083; Julian PR-9