Medals such as these were distributed to Native American leaders to mark the conclusion of a treaty or other important occasions. This silver medal, issued during the presidency of James Madison (1751–1836), was given in 1809 to Keokuk (ca. 1780–1848), chief of the Sauk tribe, and has been pierced for wearing. Gift of Mrs. Archibald A. McLeod, Sr., in memory of her son, Archibald A. McLeod, Jr., Class of 1906. Numismatics Collection.

FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION: Read more about this item in a previous exhibition, “Capping Liberty: The Invention of Numismatic Iconography for the New American Republic.”