United States, John Quincy Adams (1825-1829), Indian Peace Medal, 1825

Silver. Middle size. Mortiz Furst, obverse; John Reich, reverse. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS PRESIDENT OF THE U. STATES -·1825·-, bust of Adams right, rev., PEACE | AND | FRIENDSHIP, clasped hands below crossed tomahawk and peace pipe, 61.0 mm (Julian IP-12; Prucha 42; Belden 27; COAC 1997, p. 42, US-5), pierced for suspension, with a few scattered marks, and small edge bump, but better than very fine, and dark toned

William Guthman Collection, Sotheby’s New York, December 1, 2005, lot 336

The presidential dislike of Furst’s work was expressed by his son, who noted “There is too much projection in the point of the nose; and the head and shoulders are too big, and look to belong to a very fat man.” These comments were specifically directed at the large and small medals; only the portrait of the middle size (as here) met with the Adamses' approbation.