501

Undated Numbered Treaty Medal.

Currency:CAD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:12,500.00 CAD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 35,000.00 CAD
Undated Numbered Treaty Medal.

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Undated Numbered Treaty Medal. McLachlan-30, Leroux-1191, Breton-29, Jamieson-38. 76mm. 208.6g. Plain edge. Signed J.S. & A.B. WYON. Original hanger and suspension loop at 12 o’clock. The design is as last, however, the treaty number and last digit in the date were never punched. The medal would have been struck, ordered, and delivered by the Canadian government from the Wyons at the same time as other medals that were distributed. Most likely it remained unissued, although we cannot entirely discount the possibility that the medal was presented without the final digits punched. It may be one of the five remainders that were hand in a government office as late as the early 20th century.
Both sides have been wiped and a small rim bump occurs above GI in REGINA, suggesting handling by someone other than a numismatist or knowledgeable collector. The medal remains in its original case of issue with a black leather exterior and plush purple velvet-lined interior. As for how many unissued, or at least blank, numbered treaty medals exist, we are aware of about a half dozen in private hands. Original boxes are seemingly rarer than any of the medals, whether issued or unissued. There is one on display at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife. A few others are in private hands, and there are mostly likely more that remain unaccounted for. Still, the rarity of the original box alone should not be underestimated, particularly in this pristine state of preservation. The only recent auction appearance we can find for an unissued treaty medal occurred in a November 2022 Waddington’s sale, where one realized $20,460 without a case.