Lot 3884
Canada. Indian Peace Treaty Medal, 1876. Breton-29. Jamieson fig.38. Reford 122. Silver 204.9 grams. 76.4 mm. Obverse: High-relief portrait of Queen Victoria with legend Victoria - Regina. Crowned bust left. Reverse: British Indian Commissioner and Indian Chief, both in formal dress, shaking hands. In background, an Indian village and the rising sun.
The Indian Treaty Medals were struck without dates and issued at the signing of the seven Indian Treaties between 1871 and 1877. Dates and treaty numbers were stamped as issued. This medal, from Treaty Number Six, was between Great Britain/Canada and the Plains, Wood Cree and other Indian Tribes in the Fort Carlton, Fort Pitt and Battle River areas. Under the terms of the treaty, the Indians Tribes gave up their rights to approximately 120,000 square miles of land in what is now Alberta and Saskatchewan and promised to refrain from drinking and obey the law. In return, they received smaller parcels of reserve land, a horse and wagon, and $12 for every tribe member. Unlike the other treaties, Treaty Number Six also provided several medicine chests that would be held by an Indian agent at each of the area outposts. This amounted to the government providing free health care in perpetuity to Native Canadians. The Chiefs that signed the treaty received a flag and a silver Treaty Medal like the one offered here.
It is estimated that fewer than ten medals were given at each treaty signing. Toned. NGC graded AU-55.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
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| Realized $7,763 |
