A VERY RARE Martin Van Buren Large Format Silver Indian Peace Medal (76 mm, approximately 146.85 grams). Julian IP-17, Prucha-44. This splendid example offers the detail of a strong AU. The surfaces show some random lines, and as is always the case for medals such as this that were intended to be worn by the recipient, the medal is holed at 12:00. We can also spy with some difficulty the dates "1837" and "1844(?)" very lightly graffitied into the obverse field. There is a large-linked silver chain (perhaps of early 20th century vintage) from which the medal can be suspended. Van Buren was president from 1837 to 1841 but failed to be elected to a second term, largely due to the economic depression that gripped the nation during his administration, as well as his opposition to the annexation of Texas (a move that would have added another slave state to the U.S.). He ran again for president in 1844, failed to earn the Democratic nomination, and subsequently ran on the Free Soil (anti-slavery) ticket. Prucha indicates that Van Buren Indian Peace medals such as this were given to the Cheyenne and Arapaho that were then based in Oklahoma and Kansas as well as to other tribes based in the Midwest and Upper Plains. The pedigree of this medal is thus quite fitting of its role in American history, as the specimen offered here was once owned by B.D. Weeks (see the supporting documentation that indicates his acquisition of this medal from a New York coin shop). Weeks was president of Bacone College from 1918 to 1941. This institution was founded by Baptist missionary A.C Bacone in 1880 as the Baptist Academy. Baptist Academy was later called Indian University, and was intended to educate exclusively American Indian Students from the surrounding area. The name was changed once again to Bacone College in order to honor its founder and first president. Bacon College still exists to this day, and its original vision remains largely unchanged. Here is your chance to own a remarkable and uniquely American relic that all at once illustrates the aspirations and noble goals of our wonderful country, as well as the imperfections and flaws of its past and present. Housed in a mid-20th century custom case that bears a suitable description of the nature of the medal, as well as indicating that it was from "The Collection Joan E. Dreher 1951". Hold your paddle high, as destiny is calling you to seize this opportunity while you still can! Est. $13,500.