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The Millard Fillmore Presidential Silver Medal, composed of one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, is part of the U.S. Mint’s distinguished Presidential Silver Medal Series. This series commemorates each president in chronological order through faithfully reproduced designs based on historic Indian Peace Medals. These medals were originally presented to Native American leaders as tokens of diplomacy and peace during each president's administration. The Fillmore medal represents the thirteenth presidency in United States history, honoring a leader who held office from 1850 to 1853 during a politically volatile period marked by sectional tensions over slavery and the Compromise of 1850.
Millard Fillmore assumed the presidency after the untimely death of President Zachary Taylor in July 1850. As vice president, Fillmore was thrust into the nation’s highest office during a time of great national discord, particularly over the expansion of slavery into new territories. His administration is best remembered for signing into law the Compromise of 1850, a controversial legislative package intended to ease tensions between pro- and anti-slavery factions. Though the compromise momentarily staved off secession, it included the deeply divisive Fugitive Slave Act, which required the return of escaped slaves and sparked outrage in the North. Fillmore's presidency remains a focal point in discussions of political moderation and the lead-up to the American Civil War.
The obverse of the Millard Fillmore Presidential Silver Medal features a finely detailed profile bust of the president facing right. His likeness, based on contemporary 19th-century engravings, reflects the reserved and stately demeanor for which he was known. Encircling the portrait are the inscriptions “MILLARD FILLMORE” along the top and “PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES” at the bottom, with the date “1850” positioned just beneath the bust. The original design is credited to artists of the U.S. Mint working in the mid-19th century and is recreated with precision and care in this modern silver version, preserving both historical accuracy and artistic integrity.
The reverse of the medal carries the standard Indian Peace Medal design seen on many issues from the 1800s. It depicts a symbolic handshake between a uniformed American soldier and a Native American leader, standing side by side. Behind them lies a scene rich in allegory: a crossed peace pipe and tomahawk, a plow, and a field of corn representing agriculture, cooperation, and civilization. A U.S. flag on a pole provides a clear representation of federal authority and national unity. This powerful imagery is intended to reflect peace and mutual respect, though it is understood today with more nuance given the historical context of Native American displacement.
The Fillmore medal is struck at the Philadelphia Mint and follows the standard specifications for the Presidential Silver Medal Series. Composed of 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver, the medal has a diameter of 40.6 mm (1.598 inches) and a plain edge. The matte-like finish used in production brings out the depth of the relief designs without the high reflectivity of traditional proof coins, resulting in a refined, elegant appearance that emphasizes subtle details and texture. Though it bears no mintmark, the craftsmanship is unmistakably of U.S. Mint quality, ensuring it meets the high expectations of collectors and historians alike.
These medals are not intended for circulation and are categorized as non-denominated bullion medals. As such, they have no face value but hold substantial value for both their silver content and their historical significance. They are released by the U.S. Mint in limited quantities, with no fixed mintage cap, meaning total production is determined by collector demand. The Fillmore medal, released in 2022, adds to a growing collection of silver medals that celebrate presidential history in an accessible, collectible format. Each medal comes housed in a protective capsule, with a presentation folder and certificate of authenticity included from the U.S. Mint.
Specimens of the Fillmore silver medal are generally encountered in pristine condition, especially when retained in their original Mint packaging. The medals are carefully handled during the minting and packaging process, and many collectors choose to keep them sealed or submit them for third-party certification. Grading services such as NGC and PCGS often assign grades of SP69 or SP70, denoting exceptional preservation and sharp detail. The matte surfaces resist blemishes and highlight the fine engraving, particularly in Fillmore’s portrait and the richly symbolic handshake scene on the reverse.
As part of the broader Presidential Silver Medal Series, the Fillmore medal serves as a historical artifact that helps narrate the evolution of American political leadership. Each medal in the series uses a consistent format, offering a uniform collecting experience while presenting diverse and unique portraiture for each president. The series is especially valuable to educators, historians, and collectors who seek to contextualize presidential actions within the broader timeline of U.S. history. With each successive release, the series offers a new chapter in the story of American governance, diplomacy, and nation-building.
Millard Fillmore’s presidency, while brief and often debated, is encapsulated within this silver medal with dignity and artistic refinement. His efforts to maintain Union stability through legislative compromise reflect the political tightrope that leaders of the time had to walk. The inclusion of the Indian Peace Medal imagery on the reverse connects Fillmore’s administration to the broader practice of Native diplomacy during the 19th century—a practice layered with both noble intentions and complex, often tragic outcomes. This makes the medal not only a commemorative piece but also a starting point for deeper reflection on U.S. policy, expansion, and its effects on diverse populations.
Collectors pursuing the complete Presidential Silver Medal Series will find the Millard Fillmore medal to be an essential addition, continuing the chronological narrative from Zachary Taylor and preceding Franklin Pierce. It is one of the more historically charged issues, capturing a presidency mired in sectional divisions and the delicate balance of Union preservation. The uniformity in size and metal content across the series ensures that each piece stands equal in physical weight, but their individual historical weight varies based on the events of each term—something the Fillmore medal quietly underscores through its solemn profile and allegorical imagery.
The Millard Fillmore Presidential Silver Medal 1 oz .999 is an elegant and educational item that blends numismatic appeal with historical gravitas. It preserves the legacy of a consequential—if often overlooked—president, offering collectors a chance to hold in hand a piece that symbolizes mid-19th-century governance, diplomacy, and American ideals. Whether added to a collection for its bullion value, its historical significance, or its artistic design, the medal is a worthy tribute to the complexities of one of America’s pivotal political eras.