Indian Peace Medals
Undated (1777) George III, Lion and Wolf Medal. Struck Solid Silver. Adams 10.2 (Obverse 1, Reverse B, Two Breaks), Betts-535, Jamieson Fig. 11. Very Fine.
61.3 mm. Rims 3.1 - 3.6 mm thick. 981.5 grains. Original hanger intact. Unsigned dies. Obv: youthful bust of George III, to right. Rev: the British lion roused to attention by a slinking wolf daring to threaten a settlement in the background. A rather sharp piece, and perhaps a bit better detailed than our grade might suggest, but there are areas of porosity mostly affecting the obverse. These are heaviest between DEI and GRATIA and beneath the bust. Despite this minor environmental imperfection the medal has rather nice eye appeal. The surfaces are otherwise fairly bright silver with just enough light patination in the recesses to accentuate the designs. Light surface abrasions and a bit of tooling within the rims are likely from some natural encrustation having been somewhat carelessly removed. However, awarded Peace medals like this are typically found bearing the marks of their unique purpose, and this only adds to their appeal. Struck from a different reverse die than the medal offered in the previous lot. Though styled very similarly, the easiest area of distinction is in the relationship of the church supports to the Lion’s head. Other differences are easily seen when comparing high-grade specimens. As noted in the previous description, the John Adams Census of Lion and Wolf medals, published in his fine reference, The Indian Peace Medals of George III or His Majesty’s Sometimes Allies, accounted for 19 different specimens of this distinctive medal. This included one erroneous entry that was apparently based on bad source information (his #17), and did not include this piece that had been in private hands for decades and might not have been a part of the public record until now. It was sold by a Detroit antiques dealer around 1970, into the care of an advanced collector of historic Native American art who held onto it for the remainder of his life. There was unfortunately no further detail of its history provided. One can certainly imagine, however, someone turning this medal up in the Great Lakes region not that far removed from its original recipient who may have lost it locally long ago, or perhaps passed it down through his family. Whatever the case, this is likely the first public offering of the piece. With its sharp detail and intact original hanger, one could do much worse than capturing this fine specimen. It would undoubtedly be a centerpiece in just about any collection of medals struck for presentation to Native Americans. Few collections contain the famous Lion and Wolf at all, and with 10 of the 19 specimens indicated by the Adams Census impounded in institutional collections, there is good reason. The Lion and Wolf has long been recognized as a rarity. One sold in the January 1842 Sotheby’s sale as Supplemental lot 2 for 8 shillings, called “well preserved and rare.”
Ex Karel Weist, an Antique Dealer of Detroit, Michigan, circa 1970; Richard Pohrt, Sr. to Richard Pohrt, Jr., by descent; to the present consignor, April 2014, by direct sale.
Estimate: $20000