1789Medal Baker-173N White Metal Nebraska Treaty(Special Strike)

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,640 SP62 08-24-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

The Baker-173N medal in white metal depicts the Nebraska Treaty design in a special strike format. This medal connects to the broader category of Indian peace medals associated with George Washington's presidency, when the federal government used silver medals as diplomatic gifts during treaty negotiations with Native American nations. The "N" suffix in the Baker catalog designates this as a specific die variety or metallic variant within the Baker-173 series. The Nebraska Treaty design references the diplomatic agreements between the United States and various Native American peoples of the Great Plains region. During Washington's administration, Secretary of War Henry Knox oversaw Indian affairs and conducted negotiations that established the treaty-based framework for U.S.-Native American relations that would persist through the nineteenth century. While the specific "Nebraska Treaty" referenced may be somewhat apocryphal in its attribution, the design belongs to a recognized category of Washington-portrait Indian peace medal derivatives. The "Special Strike" designation indicates this piece was produced with particular care in its manufacture, with proof-like surfaces or from specially prepared dies. White metal special strikes are unusual, as the soft alloy does not typically display the mirror-like qualities associated with proof coinage, but the term may indicate hand-selected examples or limited production runs.

Rarity Notes

White metal special strike. The special strike designation indicates limited production with enhanced quality. Baker-173N is a specific variety within the broader Baker-173 series.

Cross References

Baker-173N; PCGS #915464; Nebraska Treaty