1881 James A. Garfield Indian Peace Medal. Oval. Julian IP-44, Prucha-55. Bronzed Copper. MS-64 BN (NGC).75.4 mm x 60.0 mm. Handsome and uniform light mahogany bronze surfaces with minor traces of speckling in the patina, mostly just left of Garfield’s neck. Gently satin surfaces nearly throughout, with the usual slightly prooflike character in the reverse fields behind PEACE and the exergual ornaments. Just a couple of microscopic rim marks are noted, as is a very slight patina break on the highest point of Garfield’s hair. All original oval Peace medals are rare, and the silver issues are among the rarest of the entire series. In fact, the silver Garfield is the most common despite there being only three or four known. As such, the bronzes, which are also quite rare, are very useful to fill important voids in even advanced collections. They tend to attract strong interest, particularly when in nice condition. Just four original bronze Garfield medals have appeared in our sales in the last decade. This is a new one, and it has been in the same family for decades.
