1845 James K. Polk Indian Peace Medal. Copper, Bronzed. Third Size. First Reverse. Julian IP-26, Prucha-46. MS-65 BN (NGC). 50.8 mm. 909.0 grains. Gently mottled deep mahogany bronze. Fine satiny luster and very nice eye appeal. A few tiny nicks and a faint reverse fingerprint, with slight mellowing of the patina noted on Polk’s shoulder relief. Struck from the original dies. The obverse is finely cracked in this state, from the upper back of Polk’s head, across his ear and into his collar. This will likely only be seen on high-grade specimens. Two raised marks visible on the rim over the R of PRESIDENT are also seen on the silver original above. The reverse die is in the earlier state, with a single chip in the rim at 3:00. Spalling patches are visible in the upper reverse field as are some heavy die finishing lines. Another of these lines passes through R of FRIENDSHIP. A great rarity in silver, but quite scarce in bronze, too. Carl Carlson found only one more auction record for a bronze than he did for silver examples. There are only a couple of appearances in our online archives from the last decade. John Ford only had a single example, as did David Dreyfuss, but Chris Schenkel was missing this type. Also included with this lot is a cast copy of this medal in lead, with a bronzed finish. It makes for an interesting comparative study piece. (Total: 2 pieces) Ex Heritage, December 2012, lot 38053 (the struck original).
