May 12-14, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
Lot #2018:
SILVER GEORGE WASHINGTON PEACE MEDAL DATED 1795.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2026
During George Washington's presidency, several styles of these medals were created and given to Native leaders. Native Peace medals were produced by the United States government and given to Native leaders in the course of the nation’s negotiations with the multitude of tribes that owned the land coveted by the national and state governments. This silver George Washington Indian Peace Medal exhibits a raised rim on both sides. Appears unmarked. Obverse illustrates a uniformed George Washington at the right, standing, sharing a peace calumet, and having just given it to a Native Chief at the left, who is smoking it and wearing a peace medal around his neck. A pine tree behind the Native and a tomahawk at his feet, along with a farmer ploughing in the fields in the background behind Washington, inscribed "GEORGE WASHINGTON / PRESIDENT 1795" below. The collage is representative of the central justification of American policy toward Native tribes, contrasting the Euro-American definition of civilization with a perceived Native condition of savagery showing agriculture versus hunting, settlement versus nomadism, war versus peace, and ultimately, assimilation versus tribalism. Reverse illustrates the seal of the United States of America featuring a spread-winged eagle with a shield on its breast, and holding an olive branch and a bundle of thirteen arrows. The eagle carries a ribbon banner in its beak inscribed "E PLURIBUS UNUM" with a constellation of twelve stars in a random pattern surrounding the eagle's head. Rays of light are breaking through a cloud above. Measures 66.70mm wide, 89.97mm tall, 5.69mm thick. Loop at top for suspension. The medal exhibits an pleasing patina throughout with strong motifs. It is interesting that the original 1795 version of the medal incorporated fifteen stars instead of thirteen, due to the admission of Vermont and Kentucky into the Union, however, this version has only twelve stars. CONDITION: Good.
Item Dimensions: 4" X 2 - 1/2"