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The Andrew Johnson Presidential Silver Medal is part of the U.S. Mint’s continuing tribute to America’s commanders-in-chief, crafted in one troy ounce of .999 fine silver. These medals commemorate each U.S. president in the order of their service, replicating the historic Indian Peace Medals once presented to Native American leaders as diplomatic gifts. The Andrew Johnson medal honors the 17th president of the United States, who assumed office after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and oversaw the early and controversial years of Reconstruction. This one-ounce silver medal not only recalls a critical period in American history but also reflects the artistry and symbolism of a bygone era through faithful design reproduction and high-quality modern minting.
The original Indian Peace Medals were issued beginning in the 18th century and continued through the 19th century, intended as tokens of alliance and goodwill during negotiations with Native American tribes. During Andrew Johnson’s presidency from 1865 to 1869, such medals were an important part of federal policy toward Native nations. The U.S. Mint’s modern Presidential Silver Medal series began in 2018, recreating these historic designs in a format accessible to collectors and history enthusiasts. The Andrew Johnson medal, released as part of this series, is struck with care and attention to historical detail, preserving the original motifs and inscriptions while upgrading the metal content to pure silver.
The obverse of the Andrew Johnson Presidential Silver Medal features a left-facing bust of President Andrew Johnson in classical profile. His image is surrounded by the inscription “ANDREW JOHNSON PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES” in a circular arc. The portrait is clean and bold, based on 19th-century medallic representations of the president. Johnson’s expression is solemn and thoughtful, appropriate for a leader who governed during one of the most turbulent and divisive times in U.S. history. The sculptural detail is sharply rendered, particularly in the hair and collar, giving the medal a sense of both period authenticity and refined execution.
The reverse design is common to all medals in the Indian Peace series and bears the clasped hands of a U.S. military officer and a Native American chief. The military sleeve bears three stripes and a cuff decorated with stars, representing the federal government, while the Native American hand features a wristband with geometric decoration. Above the handshake is a tomahawk and peace pipe crossed in symbolic union. Encircling the top of the design is the inscription “PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP,” conveying the diplomatic purpose of the original medals. The imagery speaks to a time of complex and often strained relationships between the U.S. government and Native nations, yet it also reflects aspirations toward alliance and mutual respect.
The Andrew Johnson medal is struck by the Philadelphia Mint and contains one troy ounce of .999 fine silver. The medal has a matte finish—also referred to as a “specimen” or “soft satin” finish—which gives it a refined, antique-like appearance. Unlike proof coins, which feature mirror-like fields, this finish is evenly frosted across the entire surface, enhancing the classic medallic aesthetic. The diameter of the medal is 1.598 inches (40.6 mm), providing ample space to fully realize the historical artwork. Its edges are plain, consistent with the styling of earlier 19th-century medals and reflecting historical fidelity.
These modern silver medals are not legal tender and carry no denomination, reinforcing their function as commemoratives rather than circulating coinage. Although there is no hard mintage limit, the Andrew Johnson silver medal was produced in limited quantities relative to standard bullion releases. It was released directly through the U.S. Mint’s website, with individual medals housed in clear plastic packaging and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The packaging is simple yet informative, detailing the medal’s specifications, historical context, and production data. Collectors may choose to store it in its original Mint packaging or submit it for third-party grading and encapsulation.
While not struck in the 19th century, this silver medal carries historical significance through its visual and thematic links to Johnson’s presidency. Johnson’s term was fraught with political tension, particularly over his approach to Reconstruction and his frequent clashes with Congress. He became the first U.S. president to be impeached, though he was acquitted in the Senate by a single vote. As such, medals bearing his name and likeness offer not only a collectible artifact but also a means to reflect on the struggles of reunification and civil rights in post-Civil War America. The symbolism on the reverse reinforces the complex role the federal government played in shaping the lives of Native American communities during and after the war.
The condition of most Andrew Johnson Presidential Silver Medals is pristine, as they are struck and distributed directly from the Mint with careful handling. Because they are relatively recent products, uncirculated examples are easy to find and typically exhibit strong luster and clean surfaces. Some medals may be submitted to grading services such as NGC or PCGS, which assign numerical grades (often SP69 or SP70) and may include special holders or labels. Graded examples often command a premium on the secondary market, particularly when certified as first strikes or part of a complete presidential set.
Collectors of the Presidential Silver Medal series often aim to complete the entire sequence, acquiring each medal in order of presidential succession. The Andrew Johnson medal fits into the post-Civil War segment of the series and is especially valued by those interested in Reconstruction-era history, presidential studies, or 19th-century diplomatic artifacts. The consistency in design and format across the series makes them ideal for display in albums, cabinets, or presentation boxes, each medal representing a chapter in the American story. Johnson’s medal, in particular, stands as a reminder of how fragile and contested the Union remained even after the end of the Civil War.
The U.S. Mint’s Andrew Johnson Presidential Silver Medal offers collectors and history enthusiasts a meaningful and tangible connection to one of America’s most consequential and controversial presidencies. Its weighty silver composition, faithful design, and deep symbolism provide a compelling combination of art, heritage, and commemoration. Whether as part of a growing presidential collection or a standalone tribute to a pivotal era in U.S. history, the medal embodies the enduring value of peace, leadership, and national reflection in a form both elegant and enduring.