T.L. writes:Â I am looking for any information about peace medals that were given by the U.S. government to native american chiefs in the early 1800’s. A friend has one that was given by president Madison in 1809 to a chief after some sort of a treaty was signed. I would appreciate any information you might have . Thank you.
From the time of the French and Indian War to practically the end of the 19th Century, Peace Medals were given as gifts to leaders of the indigenous Indian tribes. They were highly prized by the recipients and were designed to be suspended on a thong or chain and worn as a breast plate. When the first Mint was established in Philadelphia it became official policy to mint Peace Medals with the effigy of the current President.
The James Madison medal is dated 1809. The bust is facing left with the legend JAMES MADISON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. A.D. 1809. There is the letter “R” at the lower edge of the Rim. The “R” is the initial of John Reich, the Mint designer. The reverse shows PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP with clasped hands below a crossed peace pipe and tomahawk.
Actually, the medal wasn’t issued until 1814 as there was a sufficient number of Jefferson medals available and there was a controversy over the use of the arm of the Indian encuffed by a Federal eagle (The cuff was removed). The medal is 76mm in diameter and exists in silver and bronze.
When the Mint began selling medals to the public in 1861, the Madison medal was reproduced in a smaller size, 62mm, and with a different bust. The post 1861 medal was minted in silver, bronze and white metal. There is also a smaller version, 51mm, that exists in silver and bronze. The Mint in Philadelphia is still making reproductions in a yellow metal alloy. These have only nominal value. The earlier bronze pieces are chocolate brown in color.
See:Â Indian Peace Medals
