1853 Franklin Pierce Indian Peace Medal. Silver. First Size. Julian IP-32, Prucha-49. Very Fine. 76.0 mm. 2389.5 grains. Pierced at 12 oclock for suspension, as issued. Mostly deep gray across both sides with some lighter silver on the highest points of relief and traces of pale blue in the fields. A few scattered marks as typically seen include a minor edge bump just left of the piercing. Close examination of the fields reveals traces of old initials, which are always intriguing finds on Peace medals, as they can point to a history of ownership that is often long lost, but on rare occasions, can be reconstructed. In this case, we cant quite make out a full name, though one does appear to be present. Nonetheless, such features are not uncommon on these medals that were presented officially and generated great pride of ownership in their recipients. The eye appeal of this piece is quite nice, and it is clear that it was an issued medal.The writer is aware of just 18 first-size Pierce medals, with two unconfirmed by photographic evidence to date. What is different about the Pierce, however, is that few seem to be tied up in institutional collections. Beyond the two unconfirmed (which are believed to be in a local historical society collection), only the one at ANS is held institutionally, making the large-size Pierce a great starting point for a collection of these historic medals. This seems to be only the second public offering of this example, the other being our (Stacks) Ford sale, in 2006. Ex "Las Vegas Antiques shop"; Fred S. Werner, April 1975; John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XVI, October 2006:152. Lot tag included.
