King Louis Phillippe I silver medal. The inscription on the front says, “Louis Phillippe I Roi des Français.” The back says, “Donne Par Le Roi A-wun-ne-wa-he 1845.”

This type of medal struck during the reign of Louis Philippe is called a “donative” medal; there is blank space on the reverse for an inscription made for specific recipients.

These two examples were given to the Ojibwa Indians who accompanied George Catlin on his French tour in 1845. In the 1840s, the exotic American West was new and exciting to European audiences. The live Indians were more popular than Mr. Catlin’s paintings.

Silver peace medals were given to influential Native Americans as a symbol of friendship and allegiance with the United States government or foreign power. Medals were given on important occasions, like the signing of a treaty, and then only to very influential members of the tribe. The medals held even greater importance than normal during times of war or tension, particularly betwe