Indian Peace Medals
1853 Scarce “Small Date” Variety President Franklin Pierce Indian Peace Medal U.S. Mint Struck in Bronze IP-32b
1853 Franklin Pierce Indian Peace Medal. Largest and First Size. 76 mm. Small Date Variety. Julian IP-32b. Struck at the United States Mint in Bronze. Dies by S. Ellis and J. Willson. Gem Uncirculated.
76 mm (7.5 mm thick). Julian IP-32b. Belden-48. This Largest Size Indian Peace Medal was Struck in Bronze at the United States Mint in Philadelphia. This is the rare “Small Date” (9 mm long) variety, as mentioned in Julian’s catalog of U.S. Mint Medals. Julian states the “Large date” medal was struck from the original dies during 1855-1870. Others say that the “Small Date” (9 mm long) variety is itself the original die, and that the Larger date die was made about 1870 and used afterwards. The official “Silver” Struck Franklin Pierce Indian Peace Medal, which is illustrated in the Prucha reference, is indeed of the Small Date variety suggesting that it is truly the original. This current Small Date variety medal is in Gem quality. It has rich perfect mahogany-brown color with semi-prooflike, perfectly smooth reflective surfaces providing beautiful eye appeal.