2. Peace Medal

thingiverse

As an antiques appraiser, I take on the role of researching this artifact to uncover its significance and value. The president associated with this artifact is Thomas Jefferson, who held office from 1801 to 1809 as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party. This presidential power represented by the artifact is the authority to negotiate peace treaties with Native American tribes. The handshake on the back of the coin symbolizes an agreement between two different groups of people in America. The item was redesigned during Jefferson's term, demonstrating his commitment to finding ways to bring harmony and understanding to the nation. This artifact, a Peace Medal, was created by Faven Kennedy, a student in Ms. Relator's US Government class at Dominion HS in Virginia. The coin features a side profile of President Thomas Jefferson with the word "peace" on top, as well as a cane and axe crossing each other below it. Two hands are shaking on the back of the coin, representing friendship. Significance and Research The Peace Medal is an important artifact that represents the efforts of President Thomas Jefferson to establish peace treaties with Native American tribes. The coin was redesigned during his term, reflecting his commitment to finding ways to bring harmony and understanding to the nation. Details about the Object: The coin has a side profile of President Thomas Jefferson on one side, with the word "peace" written above it. On the back of the coin, a cane and axe are crossing each other, below which two hands are 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 negotiate peace treaties with Native American tribes. He allocated a new peace medal to send a message of renewed mutual peace and an extension of friendship. Impact on America/ Significance: Peace medals were an important part of our government's relations with Native Americans in the 18th and 19th centuries. 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 large Jefferson medals, 13 medium-sized medals, and 16 small medals which they presented to Native American chiefs along their route. Lewis noted in his journal on May 11, 1806: "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." I researched this president because I felt like he was an extraordinary individual who had a profound impact in American history, especially when considering his contributions to founding documents that support American values and demonstrate independence to this day. His smaller, less noticed efforts such as creating peace through tokens with Native Americans also caught my attention. 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