2. Peace Medal

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Take on the role of an antiques appraiser and research this artifact. Which president is associated with this artifact and what presidential power does it represent? The more information you provide, the more valuable the artifact. This 3D printable model was created by a student in Ms. Relator's US Government class at Dominion HS in Virginia. Find out more about the Mystery Artifact lesson at https://www.lcps.org/Page/186358 Mystery artifact created by, Faven Kennedy Clues The handshake on the back of the coin symbolized an agreement between two different groups of people in America. This item was redesigned during this president’s term. This was an item given to Native American chieftains from the American government as symbols of peace. Significance and Research The Object: Peace Medal. Details about the Object: The coin has the side profile of a president with the word “peace” on top of it. On the back of the coin is a cane and a axe crossing each other, below that is two hands shaking. At the very bottom of the coin is the word, “friendship”. President: Thomas Jefferson, 1801-1809, Democratic - Republican Party Contribution & Presidential Role: Jefferson assumed the role of chief diplomat when he sent a diplomatic mission to ensure peace treaties with the chiefs of multiple Native American tribes. The allocation of a new peace medal was supposed to send a message of renewed sense of mutual peace and an extension of friendship (thus the two hands on one side of the coin). Jefferson peace medals were first issued in 1801. Impact on America/ Significance Peace medals were an important part of our government's relations with Native Americans in the 18th and 19th centuries. Peace Medals were produced in silver for presentation to Native American chiefs and warriors. During Thomas Jefferson's management, a new style of peace medal was created which looked like those used by the British, and became the model for the rest of the series. Lewis and Clark took along three of the large Jefferson medals, 13 of the medium size, and 16 small medals which they presented to Native American chiefs along their route. Lewis and Clark were faithful about writing in their journals about events of each day, which included the distribution of medals. On May 11, 1806, Lewis noted: "Those with the likeness of Mr. Jefferson have all been thrown out (in the trash) except one of the largest size which we reserve for some great Chief on the Yellow rock river." (Mussulman, N.d.). These medals were used to secure peace treaties with Native Americans chieftains. I wanted to research this president because I felt like the president was an extraordinary individual who had a profound impact in American history, especially when one takes into account his tremendous contribution authoring founding documents that supports American values and demonstrate independence till this day. However, it was also the smaller, less noticed things such as creating peace through tokens with Native Americans. Works Cited Mussulman, J. (n.d.). Jefferson Peace Medals. Retrieved April 05, 2017, from http://www.lewis-clark.org/article/350 1801 Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace Medal, Second Size, With | Lot #81055. (n.d.). Retrieved April 05, 2017, from https://coins.ha.com/itm/u.s.-mint-medals/1801-thomas-jefferson-indian-peace-medal-second-size-with-reverse-die-crack-ms64-ngc/a/462-81055.s Visual Evidence Frizzel, C. (n.d). Peace Medal. Retrieved April 05, 2017, from https://www.thelongworthgallery.com/charles-art?lightbox=image16ea To Learn More National Museum of American History: http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1120847