Tecumseh medal

Tecumseh medal

Tecumseh medal

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Introduction

Round medal or gorget made of coin silver attributed to Tecumseh, presented to him by Sir Isaac Brock. Bears an engraving of the British Royal Coat of Arms, above which are the letters “G R”, and below is the name “Chief Tecumseth”. Dr. Oronhyatekha Ethnology collection.

Nation of Maker: English-Canadian
Nation of Origin

These silver medals were usually presented by British officials to those in service of the Crown in North America, which at this time would be those in service to Canada.

Date Made or Date Range: Early 19 C
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

GRASAC generated by AN

Materials

Silver

Techniques or Format

Round medal or gorget with 2 bosses with loops for attachment on the back; hammered not cast; raised edge not turned under, with sharp edge; engraved design.

Motifs and Patterns

"GR" at top, in centre; a circle encompassing four standards, British Royal Coat of Arms: text "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" and, "DIEU AND MON DROIT" on ribbon, lion and unicorn. Above Coat of Arms are letters "GR". Below Coat of Arms is "CHIEF TECUMSETH".

Reverse side includes illegible maker's mark (POC?); and Silversmith hallmarks: "h", "rampart lion", and "crowned leopard".

Additional Context

"GR" engraving reference to King George III royal cypher - "Georgius Rex" ("GR"); Silversmith hallmarks: "h" represents year (possibly 1783?), "rampart lion" indicates silver standard, "crowned leopard" represents city mark for London, England.

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 0 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Tecumseh and Brock were allies during the War of 1812. They met for the first and possibly only time in Amherstburg in August 1812. Brock was killed at Queenston Heights in October. -AE

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 911.3.182, HD 6325
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1911
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Independent Order of Foresters
Publication History

F. Barlow Cumberland, Catalogue and Notes of the Oronhyatekha Historical Collection (Toronto: Independent Order of Foresters, 1904), p 54,

Item 357. "Tecumseh Belt Medal. This belt medal, four inches in diameter, is made of a plate of coin silver bearing the Royal Mint mark, deeply moulded at the edges and the surface hand engraved. Obverse- Arms of Great Britain. Reverse- Plain, with two loops for fastening to the belt ot Council wampum. Six of these medals were made by royal order at the mint. The one in question was presented to Tecumseh by general Sir Isaac Brock, at Fort Malden, Western Canada, by order of George III. These belt medals were made in different shapes, some the shape of a heart and some octagonal. During a visit to the Garden River Reserve in Algoma District, Western Canada, Mr. MrClurg reports one of these belt medals in the shape of a heart. It had been presented to Chief Sayers, an old Indian who took part in the War of 1812-15..."

GKS Reference Number: 1374
How to Cite this Item

Unknown artist, Tecumseh medal. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 911.3.182. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 1374.

Approximate Place of Origin

42.7, -92.2

Source of Information about Places

Made in England