GEOFFREY BELL MEDAL COLLECTION SELECTIONS

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V27 2024 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 27, Number 39, September 29, 2024, Article 22

Part 1 of the Geoffrey Bell Collection is featured in the Geoffrey Bell Auctions Toronto Coin Expo 2024 Fall Sale on October 4th. Here are some lots that caught my eye. -Editor

Lot 428: Lr. 490 — George III Hudson's Bay Company Indian Peace Medal. Undated (1820). Copper. Breton-181, Jamieson-20, Obverse of BHM-991 and 1062, Similar to Eimer-1120, but obverse legend and signature are different. 48.0mm. 44.7g. Plain edge. Signed C.H.K. This example employs a different obverse than the previous lot, the most notable variations being the legend and signature. The same reverse die break occurs at 12 o'clock, though it appears to be in a slightly earlier stage. Each side displays clean proof-like surfaces with substantial field reflectivity and elements of violet, blue, and golden colour. Original shell case is included along with an old paper wrapper.

Ex: Toronto Coin Expo Fall Sale (Geoffrey Bell Auctions, 9/2013), lot 282N, realized $3,600.

Lot 430: Lr. 841 — Victoria - Prince of Wales Royal Visit Indian Peace Medal. 1860/1840. Silver. Breton-25, Jamieson-34, BHM-1975, Eimer-1347b. 60.0mm. 85.1g. Plain edge. Signed W. WYON R.A. Original suspension loop at 12 o'clock. The second size and the rarest of the three issued to Indigenous allies during the Prince of Wales' 1860 Royal Visit. There are examples in the Glenbow Museum in Calgary and the American Numismatic Society in New York, and two more were included in the Ford and Partrick holdings. We last handled this piece as part of our Toronto Coin Expo Fall 2017 sale. The surfaces have a somewhat matte-like texture and are moderately bright and hairlined from cleaning. The latter is not necessarily detrimental to the medal's significance, as awarded medals were frequently polished by their recipients.

Ex: Toronto Coin Expo Fall Sale (Geoffrey Bell Auctions, 9/2017), lot 1225, where it brought $24,000.

Lot 435: Lr. 838 — George III Indian Peace Medal. 1814. Silver. Breton-19, Jamieson-24, Eimer-1061a, Adams 12.1. 75.6mm. 121.7g. Plain edge. Signed T. WYON JUN. Original hanger for suspension at 12 o'clock. Like the "Young Head" George III medals, these "Old Head" medals dated 1814 were distributed by the British to their Indigenous allies for their participation in the War of 1812. According to Adams (1999): "During the War of 1812, there was no equivocation: Indians made up a material portion of British forces at almost all engagements" and "The awarding of peace medals [dated 1814] reflect this … situation." This awarded example has a similar appearance to the undated George III peace medal in the sale: polished surfaces that have toned to shades of violet-grey with blue and gold accents. Abrasions are present in the fields, and a rim bump occurs on the reverse at 8 o'clock. Again, while condition is always a consideration, it is important to keep in mind that genuine, presented Indian peace medals were usually handled, cleaned, displayed, worn, etc. and should show signs thereof.

Ex: Toronto Coin Expo Fall Sale (Geoffrey Bell Auctions, 9/2017), lot 312, realized $21,000.

Lot 436: Manitoba Centenary Indian Chief Medal. 1970. .999 Silver. 88.8mm. 285.9g. Plain edge with hanger at 12 o'clock. These massive silver medals were struck at the Sherritt Mint and distributed to 54 Chiefs of Manitoba's Indian Brotherhood by Queen Elizabeth II during the Royal Visit on July 11, 1970. According to the official press release put out by the Government of Manitoba: "…in over 250 years of medal presentations, this is the first occasion when the reigning Sovereign will personally present the medals to the Indian chiefs." Although not necessarily as well-known as its early Indian peace medal counterparts, the 1970 issue is just as significant. A major modern rarity that deserves a premium bid.

Lot 444: LR. 839 — The Ashburton Treaty / Micmac Indian Peace Medal. (1842). Copper. Breton-23, Jaimeson-32. 64.5mm. 140.2g. Plain edge. Signed B. WYON. R.W. McLachlan's description of this rare medal appears in the Canadian Antiquarian and Numismatic Journal as follows: "The Ashburton Treaty Medal was given, in 1842, to several of the Micmac and other Eastern Indians who assisted Lord Ashburton, as guides and otherwise, in laying out the boundary line between Canada and the United States. Only one size, somewhat smaller than the largest of the earlier issue, occurs." Jamieson's description of the circumstances under which these medals were given out differs considerably, however:

"Amongst the Chiefs to whom this medal was presented were those Indians who composed the delegation which visited England in 1842 with the object of bringing to the notice of the British Government matters relating to the laws concerning the fishing grounds of the Micmac tribe of Restigouche. To the great disappointment of these Indians who had come to London to lay their troubles before Her Majesty, there were not accorded an audience, but as a consolation Chief Joseph Marie Itkabeitch, leader of the delegation, and the other members, each received a medal with a letter from Downing Street, dated 2nd February 1842, which after the usual compliments, state: — ‘Her Majesty has not been able to grant You and interview, but Her Majesty has signified Her Pleasure that You should each be presented with a medal in token of the interest Her Majesty takes in Your welfare.'"

Chief Itkabeitch's engraved silver medal is held in the collection of Library and Archives Canada. A bronze representative was offered as lot 77 in the 1920 sale of the W.H. Hunter Collection. The medal is otherwise missing from seemingly every other major collection of Canadian historical and Indian peace medals we are aware of, though it is a certainty that others of this type exist. Each side is golden-brown with smooth, partly proof-like surfaces. Housed in a custom Capital holder with descriptive text.

Lot 437: Calgary Indian Chief Assembly Medal. 1901. Silver. Jamieson-39. 64.6mm. 103.0g. Plain edge with loop at 12 o'clock, as issued. Signed P.W. ELLIS. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York appeared at an assembly of 2,000 First Nations peoples in Calgary on September 28, 1901 as part of their worldwide Royal Tour. In attendance were the chiefs of the Cree, Stony, Blood, Piegan, Sarcee, and Blackfoot nations, each of whom received one of these silver medals. Jamieson cites the Duke's speech in his 1936 reference: "From the warmth of your reception I feel that you also will long remember this day. The Great King has ordered a silver medal to be struck to commemorate the day, and one medal will be presented to each of the Head Chiefs which shall always be kept by him." This is one of those pieces. It no longer retains its ribbon or bar. Moderate wear and a few hairlines appear beneath the stone-grey patina. A tiny edge bump is noted just right of the loop. Rare.
Ex: Auction #19 (J&M), lot 185.

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