(1798) Medal J-IP-51, GW-67 Silver Season One, The Shepherd

Coin Details

Auction Record

$114,000 AU58 11-09-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

This silver medal, cataloged as Julian IP-51 and GW-67, is from the "Season One: The Shepherd" Indian Peace Medal series, produced circa 1798. Indian Peace Medals were among the most important diplomatic tools used by the United States government in its relations with Native American nations, presented to tribal leaders as symbols of friendship, alliance, and American sovereignty. The "Seasons" series, designed with pastoral and agricultural imagery, depicted idealized scenes of farming and husbandry intended to encourage Native Americans to adopt European-style agriculture. "The Shepherd" scene on this medal shows a figure tending livestock in a pastoral landscape, representing the first of the four seasonal scenes. The silver composition reflects the medal's diplomatic purpose — Peace Medals were produced in silver to convey the prestige and importance of the relationship between the U.S. government and tribal leaders. Julian's IP (Indian Peace) catalog designation confirms the official governmental nature of these medals. The Washington portrait on the obverse identifies the president under whose authority the medal was presented, establishing a personal connection between the nation's leader and the recipient chief.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Original silver Indian Peace Medals are highly valuable and seldom appear at auction. Most surviving examples are in institutional collections. When offered, they command five- to six-figure prices.

Cross References

Julian IP-51; Musante-Baker GW-67; PCGS #606296