1841 JOHN TYLER USA INDIAN PEACE MEDAL

[djuforeo]

So, my girlfriend received this gift from her friend who was cleaning out her parents house. They didn't want it anymore. Anyone have any information as to if this is legit or a fake piece? Her friend said something about it being 1 of 12? Here are some pics:







Thanks!

[hosman321]

I'm no expert, but it sure looks legit.  Pretty hard to fake the wear and age on that red material. I'll get to searching the net but just thought I'd say that it's beautiful and I hope we can all find out more about it. The research whiz around here is Sapphire.

[hosman321]

Woah, the ones I'm finding are just the medals and look at the price. Wow...
http://www.stacksarchive.com/viewlot.php?auction=ST1006b&lot=138
That one is silver, but if yours is original I'm sure it's worth a lot.

[djuforeo]

Awesome. The coin looks like it my not be legit though. The way the 1841 is placed on this one compared to that silver coin. Here are some better pics:

[waywardangler]

If I remember correctly, Maine Antique Digest had an article on these awhile ago.  I will check their archives for it.

Here is the MAD link to one article...http://maineantiquedigest.com/articles_archive/articles/jan07/stack0107.htm
The chart at the bottom of the article has the Tyler medals at $21,850!  Article says there are a lot of  fakes so I would have this authenticated for that kind of money.

Here is a good article on the medals...http://members.fortunecity.com/tokenguy/tokentales/page58.htm
It says some were struck in 1969 and reworked by individuals to look old.  This section has me wondering about this one posted...

FAKE and FANTASY PEACE MEDALS

A number of fake and fantasy peace medals are known, there are a number of castings of authentic medals done in grey coloured pot metal. Also there are a number or people who rework 1969 vintage authentic medals, by drilling holes for suspension, and aging the metal, and adding suspension collars and ribbons.

[sapphire]

Another tidbit or two........

http://www.coinsite.com/content/cdanswers/cdarchive10.asp

"The medal was issued in two sizes, 76mm and later, 62 mm. The latter went on sale in 1861. They were issued in either silver or copper. Gold plated pieces were plated privately, outside the Mint.

The United States mint continued to strike these medals well into the 20th Century. The "restrikes" are in a gold colored brass alloy. The original copper pieces are red or a chocolate brown. Values: $50-$400."

A shot of one in bronzed copper , apparently there were two versions of the reverse side.

http://www.icollector.com/1841-Tyler-Indian-Peace-Medal-Unc-Corrosion_i7788819


What interests me more the the 'mantle' the medal is hanging from.  That in itself may be an historic piece. I can see someone hanging a fake on a ribbon or chain if it was pierced, but to me this more elaborate setting would signify a close relationship between the two. Just my personal opinion.