[Native American Peace Medal]: [Ellis, Salathiel (engraver obverse)]: [Willson, Joseph (engraver reverse)]:

$2,000 · Offered by William Reese Company · No longer available

[NATIVE AMERICAN PEACE MEDAL ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES IN 1857 DURING THE PRESIDENCY OF JAMES BUCHANAN]. An uncommon bronze strike of the 1857 James Buchanan Native American "peace medal," used in negotiations with tribes during the years just prior to the Civil War.Almost from the beginning of the French and British incursions in North America, special peace medals were presented to Native Americans at conferences and treaties, usually bearing the image of the French or British ruler. Following this tradition, George Washington also presented peace medals to Native American leaders at treaty signings and formal ceremonies as a symbol of friendship and respect. The use of Indian peace medals was carried on by American presidents following Washington until the end of the 19th century."Native Americans placed great significance on the peace medals and viewed them not only as a sign of friendship, but of power. A suggested reason for this is the connection they saw between these medals and the shell gorgets worn and decorated to represent power. The gorgets, which typically only chiefs and the elite would wear, [were considered to hold] a supernatural power source. Images on a gorget gave the wearer the power of what the image represented. Similarly, to the Native Americans, the image displayed on the medal, the head of the president or king, gave the wearer the leader's power" – Gilcrease Museum. As such, peace medals were an important tool in building alliances with various

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