Medal - Indian Peace Medal, President James Munroe, United States of America, 1817

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Summary:: Indian Peace Medal issued by President James Munroe, United States of America, 1817. This medal is also part of a series also known as Presidential Medals. Peace medals played a significant role in relations between the United States government and the Native American population.

Following the British and French practice of handing out silver medals to tribal chiefs, George Washington began a policy of presenting peace medals to American Indian leaders at treaty signings and other formal ceremonies. Every subsequent American president from Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison is represented on an Indian peace medal, with the exception of William Henry Harrison. The medals were often produced in different sizes according to the rank of the recipients.
Acquisition Information:: Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Discipline:	Numismatics
Dimensions:	63 mm (Diameter)

Tagged with:	indigenous peoples, peace, indigenous issues, native americans, indian peace medals
Themes this item is part of:	Numismatics & Philately Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection
Primary Classification:	MEDALS
Secondary Classification:	Civil
Tertiary Classification:	peace
DateEra:	1817 AD
Obverse Description:	A draped bust of the President facing right; around, JAMES MUNROE PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. A.D. 1817
Reverse Description:	The hands of a military officer and an Indian chief clasped; above, crossed war axe and pipe; legend, divided by images, PEACE / AND / FRIENDSHIP
Edge Description:	The edge is plain
Shape:	Round
Material:	Copper
Issued By:	United States of America, 1817
Person Depicted:	President James Munroe - United States Government, United States of America, 1817
Artist:	Moritz Furst
Mint:	Philadelphia (Mint), Philadelphia, United States of America, circa 1878 A Bronzed copper strike, probably from about 1878
References:	Neuzil No.2
Bibliography:	[Book], James Snowden, The Medallic Memorials of Washington in the Mint of the United States, Philadelphia, 1861, 95 Pages [Article] Neuzil, Chris. 1999. Moritz Furst's American Medals. The Medal in America. 2, 52 Pages