1850 Millard Fillmore Indian Peace Medal. Large Size. Silver. 75.86 mm. 2360.1 grains. Julian IP-30. Very Fine.Pierced at 12 oclock for suspension, as issued. Light silver surfaces with thin outlines of deeper patina around the devices and legends which serve to somewhat accentuate the design features. Somewhat hairlined, but not at all unacceptable for one of these prized and historic medals. In fact, this surface characteristic speaks to the medal having been <em>valued</em> by whoever owned it prior to it entering collector’s hands. Scattered small marks are seen throughout under magnification, but without it, three blunt marks on the portrait are about all that distract the eye. A couple of small rim bumps are also noted. None of the imperfections are beyond the scope of the normal use of an awarded Indian Peace Medal, and much like the Jackson medal offered above, the surface marks might well be called ideal for such a piece.<p>The Fillmore medals were contracted to be made outside of the Mint, and as a result it is uncertain how many were struck. It is believed, however, that about 120 large format and about 160 small format examples were produced. It is known that 25 large medals and 40 medium size were melted and restruck into Franklin Pierce medals. These are extremely rare, and many prominent collections have been missing a silver Millard Fillmore, or had this president represented by the medium format medals rather than the more impressive large version.<p>This issue is also notable for the new reverse motif, replacing the long-standing “Peace and Friendship” design that had been used since the Jefferson administration. This new design depicts a rather condescending scene of a settler (or perhaps government official) instructing a Native man on the values of “Labor, Virtue and Honor,” with the backdrop of the American flag, implying the persistent sentiment that the ways of the Native peoples were “savage” in comparison to those who would settle and eventually take their traditional lands. It is a remarkable medal to study in detail.<p>