1876 "Treaty Medal" Restrike, 10 Ounces Fine Silver Antique Finish

This large-format 1876 fine silver "Indian Treaty Medal" restrike combines important Canadian history, spectacular ultra-high-relief art and exceptional collector rarity. Original medals of the identical design were presented to Native Canadian chiefs who signed Treaty Number 6 with the government of Canada in 1876. While original medals are virtually unobtainable by collectors today, just 200 restrike medals have been issued with a rich antique finish, providing a brief opportunity to add this attractive, important and low-mintage medal to your collection.  

Each medal is an exceptional and unique work of art, with gunmetal grey-blue layered patina and contrasting highlights. The result is a classic aged appearance with a deep richness, while still maintaining perfect design detail and quality. While original medals are rarely encountered outside of museums and can sell for as much as $40,000, this restrike is identical to the originals except for edge lettering, indicating that it is 10 ounces of .9999 pure silver. Mintage is extremely limited to only 200 pieces.

Between 1760 and 1923, the British Crown presented several different medals to North American First Nations chiefs as tokens of friendship, to win their allegiance, to reward them for services, and to mark the conclusion of treaties. Perhaps the most important and most artistic of these medals were the "numbered treaty medals" issued by the Canadian government between 1872 and 1923. These were designed and produced by the leading medallists of the era, J. S. and A. B. Wyon in England.  

The beautiful design features a high-relief image of a Canadian treaty commissioner shaking hands with an Indian chief, both in formal dress, with a tomahawk between their feet and the sun and teepees in background. The treaty commissioner is the representative of the Queen, and yet the two figures are presented as equals, both standing proudly with similar stature. The native chief is presented as a figure of strength, with clearly defined muscles and an expression of confidence. The obverse features an exquisitely detailed high relief effigy of Queen Victoria.

Treaty 6 is an agreement between the Canadian monarch and the Plains and Woods Cree, Assiniboine, and other band governments of First Nations at Fort Carlton and Fort Pitt. The area agreed upon by the Plains and Woods Cree represents most of the central area of the current provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. One Manitoba band also signed on to the treaty by adhesion in 1898. The treaty signings began in August 1876, with adhesions added later, the last being signed in 1898 in central Saskatchewan in the Montreal Lake area.

According to Michael Anderson, research director of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (an organization that defends the political interests of the 30 groups that signed treaties 4, 5, 6 and 10), "this handshake symbolizes the profound meaning of historic treaties....The essence of the treaty was to create a nation together that will exist in perpetuity, for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the waters flow....The core concept is to share the traditional land of the First Nations who have entered into a treaty with the Crown and the Canadian settlers, and also to benefit from the Crown's resources, such as medicine and education."

Also available in silver:
• 1867 Confederation Medal (item 609903)
• 1927 Jubilee Medal (item 609904)
• 2017 Original Medal (item 609905)

• Produced by the Canadian Heritage Mint
• Mintage: 200
• Diameter: 76.25 mm
• Weight: 10 oz fine silver
• GST/HST exempt

Includes:
• Indian Treaty Medal Restrike 10-Ounce Fine Silver with Antique Finish