Indian Peace Medal - 1865 Andrew Johnson, J-IP-41 AE 63mm NGC MS65BN

Here’s an attractive restrike of the Indian Peace Medal (IPM) for President Andrew Johnson, who became president after the tragic assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Collecting restrikes of IPMs is a much more affordable option than seeking to acquire the original silver issues. In total, NGC has graded 12 of the Andrew Johnson IPMs, with 2 in MS65BN and just one finer.

Creation of the Andrew Johnson Indian Peace Medals

Anthony C. Paquet was given the commission to design and engrave a second IPM that carried the image of Abraham Lincoln. He said that he could cut the dies for two medals for $3,000. Paquet would also provide the silver and have the medals struck at the Mint. After March 3, 1865, when Congress provided $5,000 to cover the cost "for the usual distribution of medals among the chiefs of the Indian tribes," a bond was drafted for Paquet and he was sent samples of the earlier Lincoln medals as models for his work. Within the bond was details on the medals, including a reverse with an alter with a bust of Washington atop it. The figure of an Indian was shaking hands with "a figure representing America." Next to the Indian is found "bow and arrow and other Indian insignia" while next to America was "instruments of agriculture and machinery...showing the advances of civilization."

Painting of Andrew Johnson, attributed to William Brown Cooper. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1865, interrupted work on the dies for the medals. Paquet had nearly finished his Lincoln portrait, and stopped immediately and began working on the reverses, which, when contacted by Indian Affairs in mid-July, were "in a good state of progress." Paquet, who was asked to come to Washington to model President Andrew Johnson, asked for $500 to cover his costs on the now worthless dies that carried Lincoln's image. That amount was provided to the artist. October of 1865 saw Paquet nearly finished with the dies for the Johnson IPMs. Arrangements were made to produce them at the Mint.