Abraham Lincoln Related
Abraham Lincoln Indian Peace Medal Largest Size Listed as Number 57 "100 Greatest American Tokens & Medals"
1862-Dated. Abraham Lincoln Indian Peace Medal. Largest Size. 76 mm. Julian IP-38. Struck at the United States Mint in Bronze. Choice Mint State.
Julian IP-38. An impressive Abraham Lincoln Indian Peace Medal having smooth glossy surfaces, sharp perfectly superb high rims and excellent details. The highpoints are extremely well struck, are smooth and show no wear. Struck from original dies, having rich natural reddish-brown mahogany color. Only a few trivial scattered hairlines and contact ticks are noted. Engraved by Salathiel Ellis (Obv. signed) and Joseph Willison (Rev. unsigned). Obverse design: Caped bust right, name and title around, date below. Reverse design: Native American Indian Warrior Scalping scene, with quiver, bow, tomahawk, and Indian bust around central vignette of a Native American plowing his fields, children Playing Baseball in the background. Type without the sculptors signature on the reverse. This important American medal also includes the First Depiction of a Baseball Game being played in metallic form. On the center of the reverse is a design showing children playing a game of Baseball. A beautiful example for display. This historic Lincoln Indian Peace Medal design type is illustrated and listed as Number 57 in the reference book, "100 Greatest American Tokens & Medals" and has excellent eye appeal.
Medals were instrumental in building relationships with the various Native Tribes. The recipients valued them highly, for they conferred a prestige that was recognized throughout the nation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs considered them crucial and the Presidents for whom they were issued also knew their importance.
Many images from the "Old West" show Natives proudly wearing their Peace Medals (sometimes more than one). Generally, bronze medals were not used for presentation purposes, but in some cases, they were silver-plated and either given, sold, or traded away by unscrupulous individuals to unwitting recipients.