Peace Medal (From the Friendly Association for Regaining and Preserving Peace with the Indians).
Peace Medal (From the Friendly Association for Regaining and Preserving Peace with the Indians).
Peace Medal (From the Friendly Association for Regaining and Preserving Peace with the Indians).

Peace Medal (From the Friendly Association for Regaining and Preserving Peace with the Indians).

Object number568
Artist (1720 - 1801)
Engraver (1711 - 1784)
Date1757
MediumSilver
Credit LineGift of James Ross Mellon
DescriptionPresentation medal with the bust of King George II in profile on the obverse and, on the reverse, a Quaker holding a peace pipe at a council fire with a Native American.Dimensions1.75 x 1.625 in. (4.4 x 4.1 cm)
InscriptionsObverse: Embossed "GEORGIVS II DEI GRATIA"

Embosssed text on outer edge, "...TO THE MOST HIGH WHO BLESSED OUR..."
MarksAccession # 568 hand-written twice on obverse, once on reverse.
Historical NotesThis was the first peace medal made in America. Benjamin Franklin and members of the Friendly Association would distribute these medals to Native Americans as tokens of goodwill. It was greatly appreciated by the recipients. Apparently this medal was distributed in considerable numbers and the later strikings show that the die cracked, but specimens are very scarce, especially those where the impression is in tact. Edward Duffield, a clockmaker, engraved the die; the silversmith Joseph Richardson struck it.
Related person
Subjects
On View
On view
Collections
navigate_beforenavigate_next