Martin Van Buren Silver Presidential Medals

Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States. He was Andrew Jackson's hand-picked successor and political ally. Together the men co-founded the Democratic Party in 1825. He is remembered today as being the President who presided over the Panic of 1837. This famous Panic led to a 7-year depression and the issuance of "Hard Times" Tokens. This period also earned President Van Buren the nickname "Martin Van Ruin," which helped him be a single-term President. He held various other positions in government. He is also the only President in the history of the United States who did not speak English as his first language. Van Buren was also notably the first President of the United States who was born a United States citizen. All previous presidents were born citizens of the British Colonies.

The Martin Van Buren Silver Presidential Medal

The obverse of the medal depicts Martin Van Buren with the inscriptions "MARTIN VAN BUREN," "PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES," and the year he first took office, "A.D. 1837."

The reverses of the Presidential Silver Medal series have traditionally featured similar imagery that handshake between Native Americans and the United States, with slight variations between the issues. The reverse has also traditionally featured the inscription "PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP."

The medals are struck to order on 1 oz—.999 fine silver planchets. The medals measure 1.6 inches across.

Presidential Medal Background

In the past, Presidents used to give these Peace medals as ceremonial gifts. Their use harkens back to the nation's early days when they would have been used during treaty signings and for other diplomatic purposes. The United States Mint initially struck the medals in bronze. The United States Mint began issuing the Silver Presidential Medal struck in .999 fine silver in 2018.