1901 Calgary Assembly Medal. Copper. Jamieson Fig. 39. Choice About Uncirculated.
64.4 mm (without suspension loop). Approximately 164 mm in total length. Original suspension loop, silk ribbon and pinback suspension bar. Obv: Conjoined busts of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York at center, legends and ornamental border around. Rev: Royal arms at center, date and assembly location below, presentation inscription around. A very handsome specimen of this medal with rich, glossy chocolate brown surfaces. Fully intact and showing virtually no wear, this having apparently been carefully stored from just after its first presentation. A few tiny oxidation spots are noted, including two on the suspension bar, and one that has been gently attended to with a pin at the lower right reverse leaving a small surface disturbance. According to 1959-dated letters from the Canadian Department of Citizenship and Immigration referenced in our consignor's notes, "A grand assembly of Indian Tribes was held at Calgary on the 28th of September 1901 in honor of the visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. In commemoration of this visit a silver medal was given to each Chief and a bronze one to each Minor Chief in both Manitoba and the Northwest Territories…There were 115 silver medals and 295 bronze medals struck for this occasion." Another Department letter of that year indicated that the supplier of the medals was J.E. Ellis, Ltd. 3 King Street, East, Toronto, and that the medals were also distributed in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The event is said to have drawn some 2,000 First Nations representatives of the Blackfoot, Blood, Piegan, Sarcee and Cree expressing loyalty to the Crown. Distribution of the medals took place later, sometime after July 1902. This medal is accompanied by a sepia photograph of Weasel Calf of the Siksika Nation wearing an example of this medal. We have the impression that this is the medal being worn in the photograph as our consignor acquired these together from the same source, more than a decade ago. The image came to us simply described as that of a "Blackfoot Chief," but we were able to ascertain his identity through our own research efforts. Weasel Calf was a minor chief of the Siksika Nation at the time these medals were distributed, which would explain his ownership of bronze example. The photograph is in superb condition, with good clarity, and mounted on card.

Estimate: $1500