1794 George III “Simcoe” Medal. Silver. Jamieson Fig. 19. About Uncirculated.

32.1 mm. 189.2 grains. Edge lettered MAY HE EVER REIGN IN THE HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE. Lovely light pearl gray with soft champagne and pale blue accents mottled through the prooflike fields. A little soft on the high points which seems partially due to the strike and partially to light wear, but the overall condition is quite excellent. Only a few light marks are noted, this easily being the second finest example we have seen in more than a decade, if ever. The "Simcoe" medal is named for Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe of Upper Canada, who ordered 200 silver medals for distribution among Britain's Native American allies in April 1794. Simcoe, the founder of Toronto (1752-1806), specified the Arms of Upper Canada for the reverse of his medals, but there is no known example with such a design. Leonard Forrer in his Biographical Dictionary of Medalists notes a "portrait jeton of George III dated 1794" by an artist named Miller, but provides no other identification of the engraver. In his Supplement (Vol. VIII:59), Forrer notes that Lerroux's Medallier du Canada included this type "as an Indian chiefs' medal" without further discussion. Most present-day researchers believe that this design was given out by Governor Simcoe, although its small size would have been troubling to Native American recipients. John W. Adams cites a letter that supports this conclusion. Written in what is now Michigan, in July 1794, the letter from an Indian agent noted "Captain Doyle desires his compliments to you and requests of you to send twelve medals and twelve flags to this place, the small medals you sent before the Indians would not accept of them." While some other authorities disagree on the origin and intent of these medals Adams, after examining all evidence, concluded, "All in all, the 'Simcoe' medal has a respectable North American tradition."

From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier from Glendining's sale of March 1958, lot 127; John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stack's) sale of the John Jr. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XVI, October 2006, lot 75.