(1757) Bronze Medal Betts-401, Restrike American Indian Peace

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,410 AU50 06-21-2017 Stack's Bowers

Description

This bronze medal, Betts-401, is a restrike of the American Indian Peace medal from circa 1757. The Betts-401 type represents the diplomatic medal tradition that was central to European-Native American relations throughout the colonial period. Both France and Britain distributed Indian Peace medals to secure alliances with indigenous nations, creating a system of diplomatic gift-giving that continued into the early American republic. The survival rate of colonial-era medals varies dramatically by material and original production quantity, with gold presentations being the rarest and bronze issues struck in larger quantities being relatively more available to collectors. This bronze restrike preserves the design of the original medal, which typically featured the portrait of the sovereign or other authority figure on one side and symbols of peace and friendship on the other.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Bronze restrike of the Indian Peace medal type.

Cross References

Betts-401 (restrike)