Indian Peace Medals
Martin Van Buren Bronzed-Copper Rare 51 mm "Smallest Size" United States Indian Peace Medal NGC MS-64 BN
1837-Dated Martin Van Buren Indian Peace Medal. First Original Reverse. 51 mm. Third and Smallest Size. Struck in Bronzed-Copper. Julian IP-19b. Belden-34. NGC graded Mint State-64 Brown.
Julian IP-19b. Belden-34. 51 mm. An important "First Original Reverse" type rarity of this series, Martin Van Buren Indian Peace Medal in the Smallest and Rarest Variety being the so-called "Third Size." This medal is much rarer than either of the larger sized Bronze strikings. Rich Hartzog's 1986 supplement and price guide for Julian's "Medals of the United States Mint" notes that only 5 prior sales of this Small Size bronze medal could be found over the past 150 years. This particular medal has lovely semi-prooflike fields on both sides with rich natural mahogany-brown toned surfaces. High "wire rims" visible on both the obverse and reverse edges attest to its sharp strike. There are a few tiny nicks and trivial hairlines of very minor consequence keeping is from grading superb.