1801 Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace Medal. Silver Shells. Third Size. Julian IP-4, Prucha-39. Choice About Uncirculated.54.4 mm, 4.4 to 4.5 mm thick. 728.1 grains. A stunning example from one of the most famous Indian Peace medal issues, the silver shell medals of the Jefferson administration. An absolute rarity in superlative condition. Richly toned with gentle mottling on both sides highlighted by beautiful intermingled golden olive, pale blue and rose iridescence. Some original luster survives, rich and lively, with lingering traces of soft reflectivity in the fields that must have been robust when this medal was originally prepared from John Reichs dies. Traces of a mount remain, but appear to be from a replacement for the issued mount and ring that would have been more neatly affixed. The rims are intact and the fields are level, showing none of the heavy dents or other more serious problems that so often plague this hollow and relatively fragile composite issue. Indeed, while the original hanger was lost, this piece is completely intact otherwise without any evidence of reassembly or repair to the body of the medal. This in itself is a very desirable attribute for a Jefferson Peace medal, an issue that we have occasionally seen reassembled or, even, in pieces. Faint hairlines from the usual historic polishing are seen under the rich toning. Only the finest tiny contact marks are noted around the central reverse device. A few little scratches, now worn, are present over the letters ND in FRIENDSHIP. The obverse legends show faint double striking, as often seen on Jefferson peace medals; none are noted on the reverse. The Jefferson medals hold a cachet like no other Indian Peace medals. Their rarity has a good deal to do with this, as does their status as the first of the struck Indian Peace medals prepared at the U.S. Mint - though they were struck as shells and assembled. For most collectors and historians, though, this medal type holds its strongest associations with the journey of Lewis and Clark from St. Louis to the Pacific and back. Jefferson was a strong believer in diplomacy with the Indians, perhaps owing to his childhood on the frontier, where he interacted with natives more regularly than most Americans from further east. Jefferson also knew a thing or two about Indian Peace medals; he even owned a George III Indian Peace medal in his personal collection. In a 1793 letter as Secretary of State, he describes Peace medal diplomacy:<p><em>This has been an ancient Custom from time immemorial. The medals are considered as complimentary things, as marks of friendship to those who come to see us, or who do us good offices, conciliatory of their good will towards us, and not designed to produce a contrary disposition towards others, They confer no power, and seem to have taken their origin in the European practice of giving medals or other marks of friendship to the negotiators of treaties, and other diplomatic Characters, or visitors of distinction. The British government, while it prevailed here, practiced the giving Medals, Gorgets, and Bracelets to the Savages invariably. We have continued it.</em><p>We are aware of 18 surviving specimens of the third size Jefferson Peace medal, but few collectors ever obtain one because fully a dozen of them are either in institutional collections or in tribal ownership. One of them is said to have been buried (by the Nez Perce). With just six known in private ownership, opportunities to acquire them are very rare indeed. The present medal was last sold in our August 2013 ANA Sale, where it realized $117,500. A most impressive piece that we are delighted to be able to offer once again.From the Zeitz Americana Collection. Earlier from Sothebys New York Sale of December 1993, lot 639; our sale of the Charles A. Wharton Collection, August 2013 Chicago ANA Auction, lot 1035. <p><strong>Part of the proceeds of this lot will directly support the Segera Rhino Project of the ZEITZ Foundation.</strong>
