Front Back Julian IP-39. Second Size, 62mm. Julian IP-39. Struck at the United States Mint using Original Dies engraved by Salathiel Ellis and Joseph Willson. The Obverse design shows the bust portrait of a bearded Lincoln in his coat. The Reverse is exceptional in that it includes both an Indian scalping scene around central vignette of an Indian Chief in his feathered headdress plowing a field, while a (Civil War era) Baseball game is in progress! There are additional images of a church and ships in the background. Peace Medals were instrumental in building relationships with the various Indian Tribes. The recipients valued them highly, for they conferred a prestige that was recognized throughout the nation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs considered them crucial and the Presidents for whom they were issued also knew their importance. Many images from the "Old West" show Indians proudly wearing their Peace Medals (sometimes more than one). Generally, bronze medals were not used for presentation purposes, but in some cases, they were silver-plated and either given, sold, or traded away by unscrupulous individuals to unwitting recipients. Peace medals relating to Abraham Lincoln were, and are, among the most popular of all. |
