UNITED STATES, JAMES K. POLK, (1845-1849), INDIAN PEACE MEDAL, 1845

Silver. Middle size. John Chapman, obverse; John Reich, reverse. JAMES POLK PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 1845, draped bust of Polk left, rev., PEACE | AND | FRIENDSHIP, clasped hands below crossed tomahawk and peace pipe, 62.4 mm (Julian IP-25; Prucha 44; Belden 39), pierced for suspension, with replaced loop, reverse patch of die rust on lower left rim, some lightly scattered marks, but about uncirculated and of exceptionally fine quality

F.C.C. Boyd Collection; John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, part XVI, Stack’s, October 17, 2006, lot 140

The commission to execute the effigy of the president was given to John Gadsby Chapman, a New York artist, better known as a painter. In 1846, for $200, he modelled Polk in wax, from which the Mint prepared the dies. Although 100 of the middle size medals were made, 83 were unused and melted, the silver to be used for striking Zachary Taylor’s medals.