1817 James Monroe Indian Peace Medal. Bronze. First Size. Second Reverse. Julian IP-8, Prucha-41. MS-63 BN (NGC). 75.6 mm. 2913.4 grains. Light mahogany bronze with a gently speckled patina often seen on bronzes of this period, and a light fingerprint in the lower reverse patina that might well have been laid down when this was being produced, as the bronzing seems to have been affected. Softly prooflike through the fields with strong gloss on the reliefs. Scattered light marks are noted under close study, but the quality and eye appeal are both quite excellent. Struck from the post-1846 reverse die prepared in advance of the regular issue Zachary Taylor medals, but it is unclear when collector bronzes like this were produced. The patina seems reminiscent of other medals of the later 1850s, but again, this remains uncertain. Whatever the case, this issue is more often seen struck from the original reverse die, and this seems to be quite a bit rarer than that variant.<p>As noted in the description of the previous lot, the first-size Monroe medals in silver are great rarities, with just two confirmed in private hands and only four medals known overall. As such, most collectors, even those with the budgets for silver originals, will have to settle for one of these fine bronzes to represent the type. From the Ronald A. Slovick Family Collection. Earlier from Johnson and Jensens sale of May 1982, lot 875.
