1871 Ulysses S. Grant Indian Peace Medal. Silver. Julian IP-42, Prucha-53. Fine. 63.8 mm. 1478.4 grains. Pierced for suspension as typical, with a copper replacement loop. Light silver gray throughout, partially from old cleaning. This medal is quite worn, with several heavy dents and bends, numerous smaller marks and edge bumps. It clearly has seen a good bit of use, and close study reveals traces of microscopic roughness suggestive that it may have been subjected to the elements for a time.Grant medals are the last of the medals struck in large quantities for distribution to Native Americans. In September 1871, a complete order of 300 medals was delivered, though efforts toward creating the medals had been initiated in 1869. Work on the medals had been interrupted by the intervention of Grant and his cabinet who decided they wanted different designs for the medals than had originally been planned. The themes seen here seem to be inspired by the close of the American Civil War as much as any consideration of Native American policy, if not more so. This is not surprising as Grant was a battle-experienced General and in his new role as President, he likely desired to put that conflict further into the distance. In fact, this is a Peace Medal</em> much more so than an "Indian Peace Medal" in the sense that the Native Americans have largely been removed from consideration in the motifs, aside from the lone element of a traditional peace pipe. Gone are the designs of clasped hands of friendship, contrasts of lifeways, or derogatory depictions of "savage" behavior. The legends, LET US HAVE PEACE and LIBERTY, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY on the obverse and ON EARTH PEACE and GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN on the reverse, are very general in nature. The central reverse motif features a globe with the entire North American and South American continents beneath a Bible. Agricultural implements are below. The entire composition seems larger than American and Native American relations, and intended more as a clear statement that the Grant administration was finished with War and strife of any kind. Said to be from an unnamed collector in Flagstaff, Arizona; The Vault, Kernersville, North Carolina via eBay, May 2010.
