Indian Peace Medals

(ca. 1890) George Washington Private Indian Peace Medal. No Periods Reverse. Prucha-64, Musante GW-1148, Baker-173N. White Metal. Reeded Edge. Fine.

62.3 mm. 1138.1 grains. Pierced for suspension at 12 o'clock. A pleasingly well-worn example with areas of dark patina and a broadly worn suspension hole. The surfaces are gently oxidized and slightly granular, but not distractingly so for this degree of wear. These medals are frequently seen in late 19th and early 20th-century photographs of Native Americans. They seem to have been widely distributed at a time when official government medal distribution had ceased. These were available for sale, and it would appear that many took advantage of the opportunity to acquire such a “chief’s medal.” However, they were the result of a private and likely exploitative enterprise, and not official in any manner. The degree to which this was understood by those who wore them is unclear, but it is certain that many of these medals, like this one, adorned the necks of their owners for a considerable amount of time.

From the Larry Ness Collection. Earlier ex NASCA's Kessler-Spangenberger sale, April 1981, lot 590; David W. Dreyfuss, our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of April 1986, lot 5651; Charles Wharton Collection, our sale of March 2014, lot 2148.

Estimate: $ 600