peace and friendship medal

[Argentum]

I tried to beat the heat by doing a little detecting in the shade....nothing. Then I took a few steps out into the hot sun and my safari screamed "DIG".This is what popped out of the ground.Any opinions as to its actual age would be much appreciated.thanks
It is about 1 1/4 inches across and copper.

 

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[travelingjack1]

Nice find Argentum,

Here is a link with some info on it. You have to scroll down the page a little. I'm sure someone on here will have some knowledge of the Medal.

http://www.exonumia.com/fakes/indian.htm

Good luck HH!

 

[Mackaydon]

first thing I noticed is what appears to be different dates: 1739 (found) vs. 1789 (website)

 

[Argentum]

Thanks for the links and the info.The lettering is pretty sharp and the date on the medal is 1789.it just looks like a 39 because I didn't want to clean it too much.thanks again

 

[Iron Patch]

Many reproductions of this were made, so that is no doubt one of them. I read the originals were usually silver. Worth further research though, and still an interesting find.

 

[HISPAN]

Hello Argentum ...welcome t.net ! Nice find.

 

[Steve in PA]

Is that the front & back of the same token? The patinas are different and the rim damage visible on the back side is not showing on the front side

 

[Lookn4Seated]

Sweet find!

 

[teleman 2525]

cool find

 

[Tuberale]

Even the fakes are nice finds. I believe this is one.

The real Peace and Friendship medals were given out by Lewis and Clark on the Corps of Discovery after Jefferson became president, a few years after this was dated. They were supposed to be silver. Real ones are rather large. At least some have been found which appear to have been made in two pieces, and not one solid piece.

Oregon Historical Society made duplicates of this medal for the 150th Oregon Anniversary. Real ones are very valuable, even if they have holes.

 

[dwayne sueno]

sweet peace medal, whether fair or faux. (it looks GREAT in hand )
grab it and growl!
look forward to your future posts.

dwayne

 

[Tuberale]

Even the fakes are nice finds. I believe this is one.

The real Peace and Friendship medals were given out by Lewis and Clark on the Corps of Discovery after Jefferson became president, a few years after this was dated. They were supposed to be silver. Real ones are rather large. At least some have been found which appear to have been made in two pieces, and not one solid piece.

Oregon Historical Society made duplicates of this medal for the 150th Oregon Anniversary. Real ones are very valuable, even if they have holes.

I'm wrong.

This is not the Jefferson Peace and Friendship medal, given out by the Corps of Discovery, that I thought it was.

It may be the George Washington Peace and Friendship medal, stamped with the date 1789 as stated.

I'm happy to say I goofed.

I have seen what may be half of a Jefferson Peace and Friendship medal. These are huge ... and rather lightweight considering they were struck in silver. They were made in 2 different pieces, held together by a bezel, much like a coin holder bezel for a necklace today.

My bad.

 

[oakhunter27]

welcome cool find fake or not

 

[BuckleBoy]

A fake is a piece made to sell to an unwary buyer (to "dupe" them). This is not a fake.

It is a reproduction or a copy.

And it is an old reproduction, which is pretty cool--similar to finding a period counterfeit coin (made to pass as real, a long time ago). Counterfeit coins are likewise not "Fakes" unless they were made in China to sell to buyers as the real thing.


Cool piece.

 

[Tuberale]

A fake is a piece made to sell to an unwary buyer (to "dupe" them). This is not a fake.

It is a reproduction or a copy.

And it is an old reproduction, which is pretty cool--similar to finding a period counterfeit coin (made to pass as real, a long time ago). Counterfeit coins are likewise not "Fakes" unless they were made in China to sell to buyers as the real thing.


Cool piece.

I wish I were certain.

It does not appear to have the finish that authentic George Washington Peace and Friendship tokens should have. But there were many different strikes, including some in copper and bronze.

The damage on this coin as well as the apparent age suggest it may be much older than a Chinese reproduction, which are mostly recent creations, as well as better made than this. This medal has damage to the rim, suggesting it may have been struck on the rim with a hammer or hammer-like object. That was a fairly common practice during early American coinage, to authenticate the medal struck in, and to confirm it did not have a lead core. Then there's the damage reverse, which doesn't seem to carry into the obverse, unless than unusual line thru Washington's face is caused by whatever it was laying on.

Authentic George Washington Peace and Friendship medals are valuable. It would be wise to have a much better opinion than I can give. It certainly has a unique perspective, in that the soil and damage *prove* it was in the ground for quite a while.

I would clean just the date, so that it is clear, with acetone. You might also consider cleaning the area near the hole, since I cannot make out the entire word that includes the hole.

Just my opinion.

 

[Mackaydon]

The 'holed' words are Peace and President

 

[Tuberale]

The 'holed' words are Peace and President

That's what they should be on the Washington Peace and Friendship medal.

You may have found a true rarity!!!! If confirmed, this HAS to be BANNER! Even if a copy, I'm going to vote banner.

 

[Argentum]

thanks again to everyone for the info,opinions and encouragement! After being inspired by so many others posts here it's nice to have finally dug something with which to return the favor. In response to some of the questions, The site where it was found was near a 100+ year old house.The part of the yard where it was supposedly is where the garden area was.I thought that the damage may have been from plowing or a tiller at some point.The area also produced several wheat cents at 5-6 inches but Indian head cents,a large cent and this medal at 2-4 inches.The two sides look like different colors because I took a bunch of photos and posted the clearest two which were taken in different lighting. Anyway, thanks again and Happy Hunting!