Undated (ca. 1776-1814) George III Indian Peace Medal. Struck Shells. First Size. Adams 7.1 (Obverse 1, Reverse A). Choice Fine. 77.0 mm. 507.0 grains. Original ornamental suspension loop is lost, but the diameter of the suspension hole indicates that this medal was not lost when the loop failed, but rather it continued in use. The surfaces are largely light silver gray with pleasantly dark outlines around and through the intricacies of the motifs as well as around the inner rim, framing and accentuating the designs. These medals were produced both as struck solid silver objects and as three-part compositions, as in this case, identical to the construction of the Thomas Jefferson Peace medals. Each side was struck separately, then joined over a soft core by an edge band that simultaneously formed the rims. The medal displays numerous dents of varying size, but aside from the suspension loop, the construction is complete and intact. A handsome survivor of this type. We wrote in our Ford sale of these medals that "[John] Adams research suggests that fewer than half of the largest undated George III medals were made as shells." However, it is quite possible that the percentage was much higher initially but that more of these relatively fragile medals were destroyed in the hard use they were subjected to. In either case, they are scarce today and this is a particularly pleasing example of this historic type.
