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1809 Madison Indian Peace Medal, Bronzed-Copper

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Indian Peace Medals

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Medium Size James Madison Bronze Indian Peace Medal

1809-Dated. James Madison Indian Peace Medal. Medium Size. 2nd Reverse. Struck in Bronzed-Copper at the United States Mint. NGC graded Mint State-63 Brown.
Julian IP-6. 63mm. Struck at the United States Mint in rich, mahogany-red bronze. The 2nd Reverse, being the replacement die, first used around 1846. A very clean and attractive Uncirculated piece with sharp details and a defect-free appearanced. This is the largest of the two sizes offered by the Mint to collectors. A popular and scarce, early United States Mint issued medal. Accompanied by an NGC photo authentication certificate.

Peace Medals were instrumental in building relationships with the various Indian Tribes. American Presidents (and their Colonial predecessors) used Indian Peace Medals as a way of placating various tribes and/or to build alliances with them. 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 Indians 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.

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