Undated (Ca. 1776-1814) George III Indian Peace Medal. Betts-438, Adams 7.3. Silver, solid construction, 77 mm. AU-58 (PCGS). 1572.3 grains. Original ornamented hanger and pin intact. An astonishingly high grade survivor of this type, one that would be essentially impossible to improve upon. The designs on both sides are bold and basically unworn, with fine details like those in Georges wig, the rivets on his armor, and the intricacies of the arms and supporters on the reverse showing sharpness that is rarely encountered on these medals. The surfaces are opalescent light silver gray, retaining attractive highlights of gold and bits of pale blue. Inconsequential hairlines are seen, plainer on the obverse than reverse, but no significant impacts, damage, or other defects are seen. The hanger remains detailed and has maintained its original delicate curve.<p><p>From the Niagara frontier to the Canadian Maritimes, to the drainage of the Mississippi River and the western reaches of the Great Lakes, these medals were distributed by King Georges agents to Native Americans who agreed to allegiance with the British during the Revolution, the War of 1812, and in the rough and uncertain period in between. That their survivorship numbers are so high - Adams counted 86 and surely missed more than a few - is a testament to not only the massive effort the British establishment invested into their native alliances, but the extent to which these medals were cherished by their recipients. While British medals were often swapped out for American medals among tribes whose loyalty was demanded of advancing Americans, those tribes that remained in British-controlled territory (mostly north of the modern Canada - U.S. border) had no reason to ever give theirs up. Needless to say, through multi-generational wear and centuries of stewardship, very few survived in this kind of miraculous condition. Given this pieces quality, and the iconic nature of this type as the most important medal intended for American distribution between the American Revolution and the War of 1812, we would not be surprised to see this example bring a record price for the type.<p> From the Richard Margolis Collection. Earlier from A.H. Baldwin and Sons Auction 15, October 1997, lot 105.
