The medal's obverse bears bust of James Buchanan, facing right. Around top, JAMES BUCHANAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; at bottom, 1857; signed under truncation, S. ELLIS SC.
The reverse bears settler at left and native American at right, land with cattle, homesteadand, tipis, trees, mountains and a large American flag in background. At top, LABOR - VIRTUE - HONOR; signed in exergue, J. WILLSON
This particular medal appeasr to be quite rare because it combines the obverse from the James Buchanan Indian Peace medal with the reverse from the Fillmore Indian Peace medal. Apparently, when these medals were first struck, the reverse dies were not yet ready, so a number of medals were struck with a reverse that was at hand.
The circular medal measures 75.8mm and was struck in Bronze by the U.S. Mint. No mintage is reported.