On April 22, in Quebec City, The Canadian Numismatic Company held an auction where a historically significant silver medal was sold. The 1877 Indian Treaty No. 7 silver medal, which holds great importance for Canadian First Nations, sold for $83,650 Canadian ($60,920 U.S.), including the 19.5% buyer’s fee. This amount was far above the pre-sale estimate of $30,000 Canadian ($21,838 U.S.).
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Medal Name | 1877 Indian Treaty No. 7 Silver Medal |
| Sale Date | April 22, 2024 |
| Sale Location | The Canadian Numismatic Company, Quebec City |
| Sale Price | $83,650 Canadian ($60,920 U.S.), including 19.5% buyer’s fee |
| Pre-sale Estimate | $30,000 Canadian ($21,838 U.S.) |
| Treaty No. 7 Involved Nations | Bearspaw, Blood, Chiniki, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney, Tsuu T’Ina, Wesley Nations |
| Treaty Area | Southern Alberta, ceding 130,000 square kilometers of land |
| Medal Weight | 205 grams |
| Medal Diameter | 76 millimeters |
| Obverse Design | Queen Victoria, crowned and veiled, facing left |
| Reverse Design | A commissioner shaking hands with a First Nations man, tepees, rising sun |
| Historical Significance | Symbolizes the historic agreement between the Crown and First Nations |
| Previous Sale | Treaty No. 4 Medal sold for $113,525 Canadian in July 2023 |
Understanding Treaty No. 7 and Its Significance
Treaty No. 7 is a historic agreement made between the Crown and several First Nations governments in what is now southern Alberta. The treaty was specifically signed by bands, mainly of Blackfoot origin, and it involved the ceding of a large portion of land. This land, roughly 130,000 square kilometers, extended from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Cypress Hills in the east, from the Red Deer River to the north, and down to the U.S. border to the south.
The idea of creating such a treaty for Blackfoot lands was brought to the Blackfoot chief Crowfoot by John McDougall in 1875, setting the stage for this pivotal agreement between the Crown and the First Nations.
The Role of the Treaty Medal in Indigenous History
This specific silver medal was presented on behalf of Queen Victoria to the eight First Nations leaders who signed Treaty No. 7. Treaty medals, like this one, were gifts given to chiefs as part of the treaty process. In exchange for these medals, the First Nations people received various goods and, importantly, the rights to hunt, fish, and utilize the natural resources found on their reserve lands. These medals serve as lasting visual reminders of the commitments made by both sides in the treaty agreements.
Details of the 1877 Silver Medal
The 1877 Treaty No. 7 medal is an extremely rare and historically significant piece of Canadian numismatic history. It represents a treaty that involved several important First Nations: The Bearspaw, The Blood, Chiniki, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney, Tsuu T’Ina, and The Wesley Nations. The medal weighs 205 grams and measures 76 millimeters in diameter.
The design of the medal is also significant. On the obverse, it features Queen Victoria, crowned and veiled, facing left. On the reverse, there is a scene depicting a commissioner of the second rank standing and shaking hands with a First Nations man, also facing left. This scene is set against a backdrop of tepees and a rising sun, symbolizing the meeting of two cultures and the historic nature of the treaty.
A Glimpse Into Canada’s Numismatic Auction History
This sale of the 1877 silver medal is not the first time such a significant treaty medal has been auctioned. The Canadian Numismatic Company had previously sold a Treaty No. 4 medal in July 2023, which brought in an impressive $113,525 Canadian. These sales highlight the growing recognition of the importance of these treaty medals as valuable pieces of Canadian history, both culturally and financially.
Conclusion: A Historical Treasure
The sale of the 1877 Indian Treaty No. 7 silver medal represents more than just a financial transaction; it highlights the enduring importance of treaties between Canada’s First Nations and the Crown. These treaties, and the medals that accompany them, are powerful symbols of the agreements made and the shared history between Indigenous peoples and settlers. As such, these medals continue to hold both cultural and historical value, making them highly sought after by collectors and historians alike.
FAQs
1. What is the 1877 Indian Treaty No. 7 Silver Medal?
The 1877 Indian Treaty No. 7 Silver Medal is a historical artifact that was given to the leaders of several First Nations who signed Treaty No. 7 in southern Alberta. The treaty was a significant agreement between the Crown and the Blackfoot Confederacy, along with other Indigenous groups, regarding land and resource rights.
2. Why is the 1877 Treaty No. 7 Silver Medal so important?
This medal is important because it represents a key moment in Canadian history, where several First Nations signed a treaty with the Crown. It is a reminder of the promises made to the Indigenous peoples, including rights to hunt, fish, and use resources on their reserve lands.
3. How much did the 1877 Treaty No. 7 Silver Medal sell for?
The 1877 Treaty No. 7 Silver Medal sold for $83,650 Canadian ($60,920 U.S.) at The Canadian Numismatic Company’s auction in Quebec City, surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $30,000 Canadian ($21,838 U.S.).
4. What does the design on the medal represent?
The obverse side of the medal features Queen Victoria, crowned and veiled, while the reverse side shows a commissioner shaking hands with a First Nations man in full dress, with tepees and a rising sun in the background. This symbolizes the historic agreement and the meeting of two cultures.
5. What is Treaty No. 7, and which nations were involved?
Treaty No. 7 is a treaty signed in 1877 between the Crown and several First Nations in southern Alberta, including the Bearspaw, Blood, Chiniki, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney, Tsuu T’Ina, and Wesley Nations. The treaty allowed the Crown to acquire vast tracts of land in exchange for goods, rights, and promises to the First Nations.