1853 Franklin Pierce Peace Medal

<h3Value of 1853 Franklin Pierce Indian Peace Medal

The Franklin Pierce Indian Peace Medals were also not created at the Mint and instead were contracted out, possibly to Smith and Hartmann of New York City. The obverse was again created by Salathiel Ellis, as indicated by his signature under the obverse bust. The obverse displays an image of Pierce, facing to the left. The legend around his head reads, “FRANKLIN PIERCE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 1853; S. ELLIS. The reverse displays an Indian and a white settler in front of the American flag. Above the flag a banner reads, “LABOR, HONOR, VIRTUE” with the artist’s signature visible in the exergue reading, “J. WILLSON.” Exactly 120 large medals were struck but 23 were melted down for the James Buchanan medals.