Martin Van Buren Presidential Silver Medal Released

After a hiatus of almost a year, the United States Mint continues a series with the release of the Martin Van Buren Presidential Silver Medal.

The medal is composed of one troy ounce of 99.9% fine silver and features a portrait of Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States.

Martin Van Buren served in that capacity from 1837 to 1841. Previous to that election, he held several other political posts including Vice President, U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State and Governor of New York. Van Buren is probably most remembered as being instrumental in the creation of the two-party political system based on ideology instead of personalities or geographical boundaries.

Presidential Medal Program

The U.S. Mint’s Presidential Silver Medals series marks its fourth year with this release. Issued without sales deadlines or mintage limits, they bear the same imagery as found on historical bronze versions that were presented to American Indian chiefs and other important leaders at events like treaty signings.

Earlier released silver medals feature George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison medal, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson.

Presidential Silver Medals are produced on the same planchets as American Silver Eagles but have a plain edge instead of a reeded edge. Also, these medals have no mintmark and may be produced at different U.S. Mint facilities.

Each has a matte finish which is similar in appearance to that of an uncirculated coin.

Van Buren Medal Designs & Specifications

A right-facing portrait of Martin Van Buren adorns the medal’s obverse (heads side). The portrait is surrounded by the inscriptions of "MARTIN VAN BUREN," "PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES," and "A.D. 1837." The likeness of the eighth President was designed and sculpted by Moritz Furst.

The medal bears the same reverse (tails side) as previous presidential silver medals. This includes two hands clasped in token of amity and a crossed peace pipe and tomahawk appearing above.

An inscription of "PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP" completes the reverse image which was designed and sculpted by John Reich.

Presidential Silver Medal Specifications

Price and Ordering

The Martin Van Buren Presidential Silver Medal is available directly from the Mint’s online section of silver medals, found here. Pricing is $65, representing a significant increase from the last medal which initially sold for $46.

Each comes encapsulated and ships in a display case with a Certificate of Authenticity.